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Eddie Howe has done an outstanding job since taking over at Newcastle United in November, helping a side languishing in the Premier League ’s bottom three to climb up to 15th and create a nine-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

But it could have been very different had the club’s first choice, Unai Emery, taken up the offer from the Magpies to manage their side, as they targeted a serial winner and elite manager to keep them in the top flight.

Yet the former Arsenal manager rejected Newcastle’s advances in order to remain in La Liga with Villarreal, and the Spaniard has finally broken his silence on his decision to turn down the Magpies.

Emery was whittled down to the final two candidates on Newcaste’s shortlist alongside Howe, although the pair are two completely different managers who have achieved contrasting successes within their careers.

The 50-year-old certainly isn’t your usual candidate to take over a side in the midst of a relegation battle, having enjoyed a successful career which has brought 11 trophies at the likes of Paris-Saint Germain and Sevilla, including four UEFA Europa League titles.

However, the