Unai Emery has confirmed that he will not be Newcastle United's new manager.
Links to the vacant position developed in recent days with former Arsenal boss Emery emerging as the favourite for the job.
However, as per our colleagues at Chronicle Live, Villarreal held midnight talks with Emery after Tuesday night's victory over Young Boys in the Champions League.
The club's hierarchy attempted to persuade him to remain in charge. Spanish billionaire Fernando Roig is believed to have briefed reporters that Emery was to turn down Newcastle.
Emery has since published a statement where he's confirmed that he will not be joining Newcastle.
“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, which is maximum and for me is the most important thing," he said.
“Villarreal CF is my home and I am 100 per cent committed.
“Honestly, I am grateful for the interest of a great club, but even more grateful to be here and 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.
“I want to thank the fans for the support they have always shown me.
“On Sunday we have a very important game and I hope that together we can achieve victory. See you at the Estadio de la Cerámica.”
Reports in Spain suggested that Emery was confused about why Newcastle's shortlist came down to just him and Eddie Howe.
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The ex-Arsenal head coach thinks that Howe's philosophy is entirely different to his and he is unsure whether those in charge know the exact direction they want to go in.
Plus, he was concerned by the fact the club have no director of football and he didn't want an unworkable relationship to present itself later down the line.
With Emery now out of the running, Howe is the odds on favourite for the job.
