Eddie Howe is now Newcastle 's main target to succeed Steve Bruce after talks with Unai Emery dramatically collapsed.
The Englishman has been out of work since leaving Bournemouth at the beginning of last season.
He was in advanced talks to succeed Neil Lennon at Celtic but things went south late in the day with the Hoops instead appointing Ange Postecoglou.
Howe has been in the frame for the St James' Park gig ever since the Saudi Arabian PIF assumed control of the club from Mike Ashley.
But they instead focused all their efforts on appointing former Arsenal boss Emery, currently in charge at Villarreal.
That deal looked as if it was going to come off but news of the approach leaked to the press, leaving Emery furious.
He pulled out of the deal and soon released a statement stating his loyalty to Villarreal.
He said: "No matter how much noise there was yesterday in another country, within the club there was transparency and loyalty with the Roig family and with my squad, and for me it is the most important thing. Villarreal is my home and I am 100% committed.
"That is why I communicated to Fernando Roig my decision to want to continue being part of this project because of the commitment and respect that I perceive from the club and from my players, which is mutual and reciprocal."
The Mirror report that now that ship has sailed, Howe is the main man and the Magpies are keen to wrap up an appointment sooner rather than later.
He kept Bournemouth in the Premier League for five straight seasons after leading them up from League One.
But he walked out after their relegation back to the Championship and has remained out of work since.
He remains one of the most highly-rated English coaches around however and there will undoubtedly be some excitement at how he fairs with the new owners' backing in the transfer market.
