Former Germany manager Joachim Low has offered an indication why he turned down the chance to replace Steve Bruce at Newcastle United, speaking to RTL, via BuliNews.
If reports are to be believed, Unai Emery got cold feet about a potential return to English football after becoming concerned about what he deemed a lack of clear planning on behalf of Newcastle’s new owners.
And some might say you can see where he’s coming from.
According to Guillem Balague, writing for the BBC, Newcastle approached a wide array of managers, from proven title-winners in Antonio Conte to the up-and-coming Xavi Hernandez, and from wily Premier League operators in Eddie Howe to a man who won trophies in Ukraine and Portugal but has never worked in England.
It’s understood Low, a 61-year-old former World champion who has been out of the club game since 2004, was also on Newcastle’s hit-list before ex-Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe signed a three-year deal at St James’ Park.
Low, however, needed time to gather his thoughts after bringing an end to almost two decades with the German national team.
In short, Newcastle’s offer simply came at the wrong time.
Could Joachim Low be manager of Newcastle United one day?
“After such a long time (with Germany), I needed six months or maybe a year to take a step back and orientate myself,” said Low, suggesting he will be ready to return to the dugout in 2022.
“The desire, the motivation, is gradually coming back. After so many years and such a long journey, of course I had to distance myself (from football). I had to process some things.
“The last tournament was, after all, a bit disappointing for all of us. It took a while (to recover). But now I feel fine and excited about football.”
According to reports, Howe is already drawing up plans for the January transfer window, with a central defender and box-to-box midfielder on his radar.
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