Mario Melchiot has claimed that Unai Emery will ‘definitely want to be in charge’ of Newcastle United, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports (02/11/21 at 10:20 am).
The former Dutch midfielder stated that Newcastle paying a possible £5 million to lure Emery out of Villarreal isn’t going to stop them from getting who they want.
It seems as though Emery is high on Newcastle’s wishlist and there are suggestions that he is the leading contender for the vacant role at St James’ Park, as reported by BBC Sport.
Emery is currently in charge of the Spanish side Villarreal – they won the Europa League under his stewardship last season – and they are in Champions League action on Tuesday night.
But with rumours swarming around that it’s Emery who Newcastle want, well Melchiot made it clear that he can see him returning to the Premier League, as he explained why.
“You know what I always smile about is the managers that have a record when they were already in the Premier League,” said Melchiot.
“But then, when they left in the way that they didn’t want to leave, they always want to come back. Why? Because the mindset is like a footballer. When you lose a game, you always want to come back and make sure you can leave something else behind.
“If he comes, then it can only be that reason. If Emery comes back, and being in charge of a side like Newcastle, everybody knows the situation they are in now, then, yes, he definitely will want to be in charge of that, why not?’
“The £5 million they have to pay for him. But £5 million isn’t going to stop getting who they want.”
Emery’s only gig in the Premier League was at Arsenal, where he had mixed results.
It started off in a fine fashion for the Spanish coach, including helping the North London club reach the Europa League final.
But that final defeat to Chelsea was the start of the end for Emery, and by the end of the year, he was out of a job.
There’s no doubt that Emery is an upgrade on Steve Bruce, and with Newcastle’s best players being attackers, then his style will suit this side.
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