COMMENT: Unai Emery? It was always a long shot. Getting in at the ground floor would be attractive for some. But taking on Newcastle United at the beginning of this rebuild was always going to be a step too far.
Emery, not so much in Villarreal's media release this week, but in the aftermath of their Champions League triumph over Young Boys, did hint at why the Newcastle job wasn't for him. He made soundings to trusted, local scribes - admitting doubts about the club's vision and it's planned structure had influenced his decision. In the end, Emery wasn't even sure if an offer would be made. Perhaps there was some miscommunication. Maybe the match commitments of Villarreal prevented the two parties from sitting down and exchanging views. But with Fernando Roig, Villarreal's president, insisting on stability. And with a growing team responding to his methods. Emery agreed to releasing a vow of commitment to Villarreal through their official media channels.
As mentioned, the contact hadn't reached the point of an offer being made - not to Emery nor to Roig. The Basque actually never had the opportunity to turn Newcastle down. But it was always going to be a long shot. Four weeks into an ownership they hope will go beyond 40 years. Newcastle's owners won't be panicking. This project isn't something that requires a light touch. It's one that needs building from the ground up. And it can't be a surprise the board are still trying to get their arms around what is needed and where.
Which is why Toon fans need to cut the owners some slack. They know there's now 19 Premier League clubs conspiring against them. They know there's a national media - out of London - which has drawn their line in the sand, wishing the worst for them. This isn't going to be easy. Transforming the club of Mike Ashley into one of the top five institutions in Europe isn't going to happen overnight. But it will happen. Or at least, Newcastle will come close.
The money is there. We know that. As is the eagerness and interest from those outside wanting to be involved. But this project is going to need time. And it'll also need patience from the support. Emery and Villarreal was no setback. An experience, sure. Something to learn from. But no setback.
The new manager will arrive. For some, including members of the new board, he'll be a compromise. But needs must. No-one connected to Newcastle can expect a Champions League manager to be willing to take on this job.
Newcastle caretaker manager Graeme Jones during defeat to Chelsea
A squad built for Premier League survival. A training centre that has been barely touched over the past decade. No football people in the front office. This isn't the post for a Zinedine Zidane or Antonio Conte. If we're honest, it's really the job for a manager out of the Championship. Someone used to working multiple roles. Making the most of adequate facilities. And capable of holding his nerve and making the right calls in the middle of a relegation battle.
For the moment, Newcastle's priority is staying up. It's getting the best from a group of players that would be celebrated if they achieved a top ten finish. For it's immediate demands, this was never going to be a project for a Zidane.
The manager will be important. Crucially so. But the board also needs to build a support team around their appointment. For the moment, there's no-one. Nothing. Indeed, the one change - the hiring of new U23 coach Elliott Dickman from Sunderland - was settled by Lee Charnley, the now ex-managing director.
For every knockback, there are managers out there keen on the job. Rino Gattuso, for one, has offered himself - via Jorge Mendes - on a trial. Just to the end of the season. The chance to get his feet under the table. To show the board he can meet their demands. There is a real attraction to this. But it's not for everyone.
Consider Thomas Tuchel's comments last week when discussing the differences between Chelsea and former club PSG: "These are two teams that are at the opposite end in terms of and organisation.
"In Paris, I worked more as a minister of sport than as a coach, also managing the family and friends of the stars. At Chelsea, on the other hand, I can work more calmly."
That was PSG. Moneybags PSG. Of Ligue 1 titles and long Champions League runs. Not a Newcastle fighting to stay up. But this is an indication of how long the road will be for the Magpies before they can start seriously competing for the game's best managers.
The immediate priority is staying up. And finding a manager with the know-how to achieve just that. A pitch to Emery was always a long shot. Newcastle, at this stage of it's new era, isn't ready for such a name.
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