UNAI EMERY could be making a shock return to the Premier League as Newcastle’s new manager.
The newly minted Magpies have reportedly decided that the ex-Arsenal boss is the man for the post vacated by Steve Bruce last month, according to SPORT1.
The Tyneside club aren’t looking to waste any time and reportedly plan to unveil the 59-year-old as their new head coach next week during the international break.
The Toon’s Saudi owners are prepared to do whatever it takes to get Emery to St. James’ Park immediately, including paying his current side Villarreal a large sum of money to break his contract, SPORT also alleged.
SPORT’S claims have been echoed by bookmakers Sky Bet who have now got Emery down as favourite to become Newcastle’s new boss.
He was previously at 14/1 but now Sky Bet have got him at odds of 2/1 to sit in the Toon hot-seat, overtaking former favourites for the job Eddie Howe, Lucien Favre and Paulo Fonseca.
Emery’s first spell in the Prem ended in tears and he was sacked as Gunners boss just over a year into his ill-fated reign.
During his second season at The Emirates, Emery was shown the exit after going seven games without a win.
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However, Emery’s had a better run in his native Spain at Villarreal who he won the Europa League with last season.
Along the way to lifting the trophy, Emery exacted revenge on his former club Arsenal by knocking them out of the competition before going on to beat Manchester United in the final.
Newcastle’s loaded hierarchy had also considered approaching ex-Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte for the position.
But it looks like Tottenham may beat them in the race to bring in the Italian after they sacked failing boss Nuno Espirito Santo earlier today.
And SunSport exclusively revealed that Spurs have identified Conte as their No.1 managerial target, although they face a difficult task convincing him to take the job.
