Eddie Howe has agreed a deal in principle to become the new Newcastle manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Howe, 43, has been without a management role since leaving Bournemouth in 2020 following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
He had been in talks to become Celtic manager earlier this year prior to the appointment of Ange Postecoglou but negotiations broke down.
The former Burnley manager held talks with Newcastle this week regarding their vacant managerial role, with the finer details of his plans for the club and the make-up of his backroom team discussed.
Newcastle’s owners were impressed with the way Howe presented his views on the club, and his level of detail and research.
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Attention will now turn to sorting agreements with Howe’s backroom staff.
At this stage, it is unlikely he will be in the dugout for Saturday’s Premier League match at Brighton but there is an appetite from both sides to complete the appointment in time for this weekend’s match.
The decision to pursue a deal with Howe comes after Villarreal manager Unai Emery ruled himself out of the running to become Steve Bruce’s permanent successor at Newcastle.
The former Arsenal boss held talks with Newcastle’s hierarchy earlier this week, but held reservations about joining the club, despite being their No 1 choice to replace Bruce.
In a statement released on his Twitter account, Emery said: “For all the noise there was yesterday in another country, within the club there has been transparency and loyalty with the Roig family, that for me is most important.
“Villarreal is my home and I am 100 per cent committed to the club.
“Honestly, I am grateful for the interest shown by a great club, but am also even more grateful to stay here, and I have communicated to Fernando Roig my decision to want to continue as part of this project and for the commitment and respect that I have received from the club and my players, it is mutual and reciprocated.
“I also want to show gratitude for the love and support that has always been shown to me. This Sunday, we have a very important game and I hope that, together, we can achieve victory. We will see you in the Estadio Ceramica.”