Newcastle United’s search for a new manager appears to be drawing to a close.
Reports have been rife today that the Magpies are lining up Unai Emery to replace the departed Steve Bruce.
At the moment, he is the leading candidate for the club’s new owners.
Emery, of course, has managed in England before, succeeding Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager back in 2018.
He spent less than two years in north London, despite having a relatively respectable win ratio of 55%.
He got the club to a Europa League final, but lost 4-0 to Chelsea.
It seems Emery could well now return to English shores, and there is a player at Newcastle he might have a positive impact on.
According to El Periódicio Mediterráneo back in January of this year, Emery was keen to sign Javier Manquillo for Villarreal. At the time, he had lost Mario Gaspar to injury, and was keen to get someone in on loan.
Their report told how Manquillo’s profile ‘fit perfectly’ with the full-back characteristics Emery was looking for.
Manquillo set to flourish if Emery gets Newcastle gig?
It is unclear how close Emery actually got to landing Manquillo.
But it was around the time DeAndre Yedlin was being linked away and of course, the USA international did actually leave to join Galatasaray in the end.
Perhaps in knowing that was going to happen, Newcastle weren’t prepared to do a deal.
It will be interesting to see if an Emery appointment has a positive impact on Manquillo.
The 26-year-old is a player who has had his moments, but has never truly convinced at St. James’ Park.
Perhaps his fellow countryman Emery can get the best out of him.
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