Saudi PIF’s top target reveals why he rejected “serious project” at NUFC, despite being tempted

Eddie Howe may be the Newcastle United manager, but it seemed pretty clear that our new owners tried to appoint Unai Emery soon after Steve Bruce’s sacking.

A host of usually reliable local journalists said his appointment was ‘imminent’, with The Times even reporting that he was set to sign a three-year deal ahead of our trip to Brighton in November.

However, it seems the press were briefed too early for their own good on this one as Emery performed a late U-turn and ended up staying in Spain, meaning Eddie Howe was then named the new Newcastle United manager just a few days later.

Five months on, the former Arsenal boss has spoken to The Athletic about his decision to stay at Villarreal, praising the “serious project” on Tyneside and admitting that he “liked the idea.”

It seems Villarreal’s involvement in the Champions League was the big factor that kept him in La Liga – a move that has turned out nicely for him now they’ve made it through to the quarter finals!

Here’s what he told The Athletic when asked about the Newcastle United move that never was:

“The Newcastle project is an attractive project, something to build, different to Arsenal.

“With Arsenal, you first had to knock down the walls, which is hard work, then start to build again. Newcastle no, it was just about building, from the ground up.

So it is different, and I liked the idea.

“The Premier League is an attractive league for all us coaches. So when Newcastle called me, I thought a lot about the opportunity to return to England, to a serious project.

For me, it was a source of pride, satisfaction and I appreciated it.

“The opportunity of a club like Newcastle, what it could turn out to be, it is normal for me to listen to the offer, to consider it.

“I thought about the offer and I spoke with (Villarreal president) Fernando Roig but I also had to take into account that we were in the Champions League with Villarreal, mid-season.

In the end, with a lot of respect for Villarreal, and a lot of respect for Newcastle, I decided to stay here.

I am happy here and we are doing an important job.”

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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