Unai Emery responds to rumours linking him with Newcastle job

Unai Emery insists he doesn't know anything about rumoured interest from Newcastle.

The current Villarreal boss lead his team to the Europa League in his first season in charge.

Emery boasts an impressive CV that has seen him work at Arsenal, PSG, Sevilla and Valencia.

Newcastle remain on the hunt for a new manager, having sacked Steve Bruce recently.

But the club's new Saudi-backed owners, who completed their takeover last month, are looking to appoint a permanent boss as they seek to retain top flight status.

According to Sport1, the Magpies are prepared to pay big money to lure Emery away from Villarreal.

They are reportedly set to make a move during the forthcoming international break, but the former Gunners boss responded emphatically to speculation.

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Unai Emery won his fourth Europa League last season

"I don't know anything about Newcastle," he said, via AS.

Villarreal currently sit 13th in LaLiga having won two of their 11 games. Last term the Yellow Submarine finished in seventh.

Emery's only exposure to English football was his reign at the Emirates, which ended in November 2019.

The Spaniard led Arsenal to fifth and the Europa League final before things unravelled in his second season.

Newcastle have also been linked with the likes of Paulo Fonseca, Eddie Howe and Frank Lampard.

All three men are out of a job with Fonseca heavily linked with the Tottenham vacancy, although Antonio Conte is their favoured choice.

Graeme Jones remains in temporary charge and has overseen a draw and a defeat in his two games.

He was formerly Bruce's assistant and pulled no punches following the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.

"We are in a relegation battle. There's no question about that," he said. "We need to face it like men, stick together and believe we'll come through."

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The Magpies' next game is away at Brighton.

Minority shareholder Amanda Staveley has called on people to be patient despite stating her desire to see Newcastle win the top flight.

" Newcastle United deserves to be top of the Premier League. We want to get there. It will take time, but we will get there," she told Sky Sports following the takeover.

"We want to see it get those trophies, obviously. At top of the Premier League, in Europe, but to get trophies means patience, investment, time. We want everybody to work with us to build the club towards what it needs to be."