Newcastle’s managerial search is down to the final two

Newcastle’s managerial search is reportedly down to the final two with an appointment expected in time for the international break.

The Magpies’ owners are stepping up talks with the candidates this week, but much work will be needed to keep the team in the top-flight and there are another 10 matches before the chance to spend in January.

Unai Emery is the leading contender to become the new manager, with the Premier League club working to finalise an agreement with the Spaniard.

The Athletic understands that Newcastle’s search for a successor to Steve Bruce is now down to two candidates, with Eddie Howe the alternative option to Emery.

However Emery, who previously managed Arsenal and won the Europa League with Villarreal last season, is Newcastle’s preferred choice.

It is believed Newcastle would have to pay Villarreal around €6 million (£5.1 million) in compensation were Emery to agree on a return to the Premier League.

Emery is under contract with the Spanish side until the summer of 2023.

The decision will ultimately come down to whether or not Newcastle are prepared to meet Emery’s personal terms and pay him the sort of salary he was earning at Arsenal.

Negotiations are ongoing with no agreement in place yet.

Bruce left as Newcastle’s head coach last month, a decision that had been anticipated since the club’s Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover was completed.

Graeme Jones, previously Bruce’s assistant head coach, was placed in interim charge, with the club drawing with Crystal Palace and losing to Chelsea under his stewardship.

Graeme Jones has called on Newcastle’s owners to make a managerial appointment after the team’s winless start extended to 10 matches.

Having resisted for more than an hour against Chelsea, the home side flopped and conceded three times inside 15 minutes, Reece James scoring twice before Jorginho netted from the penalty spot.

It leaves the club sitting 19th in the Premier League and three points from safety with a trip to in-form Brighton to come before the break.

Interim Jones believes they have enough to survive, but said: ‘We are in a relegation battle. There’s no question about that.

‘We need to face it like men, stick together and believe we’ll come through. The truth is, it maybe needs a fresh face in order to get that.’

Newcastle’s supporters booed on full-time and Jones, who set his team up to defend and play on the break, added: 

‘It’s not a style of football the fans are accustomed to. They want the team to attack and score goals. I’m aware of that.

‘But this is the stage we’re in. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out where the need is at the moment. We haven’t kept enough clean sheets.’

Of the game, Jones said: ‘For 65 minutes we were competitive. That was the game-plan. 

‘We had a little bit of momentum in their half when the ball could have dropped our way.

‘But we ended up conceding when I was ready to make a couple of positive subs. Three in 15 minutes and the game was dead. It wasn’t a 3-0 game for me. The last two goals were a result of the first one. That was the disappointment for me.’

Fans have reacted with Newcastle’s managerial search is down to the final two, find out what social media made of that below…

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@NUFCRyxn: oh shit it’s happening

@GeordieInOz85: Get him in.

@Andy_11_: If we get him, I hope he’s experienced relegation battles before, and that he stays, should we go down, apparently he likes possession play, that’ll excite me 🤞

@tfalex1892: In terms of ambition – it doesn’t get much better than a current CL manager and the current Europa League holder as a manager. Emery would be a brilliant appointment and the perfect person to start a new era at #nufc. He knows how to organise a defence too….

@LetsLokonga: Good ebening

@JackPet77880316: If it ends up Eddie howe after 3 weeks of searching then you may have to question some things, I would be happy with him but surely if its howe it could have been done a lot sooner.

@GraemeBell_NUFC: Emery would be a cracking appointment, hopefully it happens. He wasn’t even in my thoughts as a potential #NUFC manager. Would absolutely be worth the wait, despite how impatient I am!

@LaneHusband1: Emery all day long. No brainer and I believe the fanbase would be delighted with this. If we’re serious about getting out of trouble, pushing on and potentially competing for domestic cups in future, give Emery what he wants. Then sort out a DoF to compliment him ⚫⚪ #NUFC @NUFC

@nufcsanjay: Unai Emery is realistically a much better appointment then any of the unemployed managers going right now too, this is a masterstroke from the owners if they pull this off. #NUFC

@wonderbonzi: UNAI EMERY!!! Would be a great appointment. Absolutely delighted. Tactically very, very good, trust he can build us into something very special! #NUFC

@100Magpie: Emery could create something special here! Tactically, there really aren’t many better than him in world football. This is why we had to be patient, if it’s Emery then it was worth it #nufc

@nufcsanjay: Unai Emery would undoubtedly be a great appointment for us. Don’t let his time at Arsenal cloud the fact that he is a top manager. He’s also someone who can set up a team well at both ends (which I’d prefer) rather than an attacking/defensive specialist (i.e. Fonseca). #NUFC

@KasimH19: Would be a top appointment. Newcastle have get to top 10 then top 6 then top 4 and then challenge for the league. Emery with the right backing can get them in the europa spots at least

@LiamNUFC98: The perfect appointment