Newcastle repeating Tottenham error as manager search spirals after Unai Emery statement

Unai Emery looked set to become Newcastle boss just 24 hours ago as the first big-name manager in their new era. However, after failing to agree a switch to Tyneside, the Spaniard is set to stay at Villarreal for the foreseeable future, in a similar trend to Tottenham’s search error when appointing Nuno Espirito Santo.

Emery had reportedly been in advanced talks with the Magpies on Tuesday afternoon prior to his team’s game against Young Boys that night.

Running out 2-0 winners, all eyes on Tyneside were fixated on the post-match interview to see what Emery said.

He didn’t give much away, although he was aware of interest from newly-rich Newcastle, who were taken over on October 7th.

Reports filtered through overnight that Emery had turned the project down, with the manager confirming so himself on Wednesday noon.

And it has left Newcastle following in the footsteps of Tottenham, who, having appointed Antonio Conte on Tuesday, had their own managerial saga in the summer following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

Tottenham’s appointment of Nuno was evidently not their first choice.

The club had sounded out Conte earlier in the summer, although he has since claimed he wasn’t ready to take the job so soon after leaving Inter Milan.

Paulo Fonseca was also interviewed for the job, although talks with him broke down while Gennaro Gattuso had also been sounded out before Nuno was eventually appointed.

It seemed a masterstroke after three wins from three in the Premier League sent them top at the start of September, but five losses in seven league games since and a completely unattractive style of football to boot saw Spurs make the quick decision to sack Nuno.

The same may happen at Newcastle given recent developments.

And after seeing how badly the season has gone for Tottenham thus far, the north-east outfit will be concerned over Emery’s rejection.

Newcastle face Brighton in Saturday’s late kick off at 5:30pm BST.

However, even a win will not be able to lift them from the relegation zone.