toontownman

Well he is clearly interested at least, hence talking to us. This is a pretty huge opportunity, potentially. I don't see him going to any of the other "big 6" clubs, even if he continues to succeed at Villarreal. If he has ambition to succeed in the premier league there likely won't be a better opportunity than this. Can see this dragging beyond the weekend though.

^^^ This, I dislike.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59139501 Haven't made it through the opening paragraph from tears.. Article looks promising..but ... "Unai Emery had the near-impossible task of replacing Arsene Wenger at Arsenal - and failed. Will he find replacing Steve Bruce at Newcastle easier if talks end in a firm job offer?"

To be fair he wanted maguire but the board wouldn't sanction it with the money quoted. Luiz was a fall back! I hope your point still stands come the weekend! Also the whispers of us approaching him early and being pushed back but now returning and it happening hopefully means we now have a DOF sorted which is a selling feature to him. I doubt another two losses even with a bigger salary would change his mind too much positively. Can imagine we had no real firm answers to how our structure would look or who would be leading it 3/4 weeks ago.

Why won't you come on over Emery? Emery? Emery? Emery?

Straight down the tunnel at FT? Seemed like no interaction.

My boy Theo! Quality.

"You said all was good to go and you just had a few odds and ends to clean up before you got on a plane... now I turn my TV on and your managing in the champions league tonight.."

If it wasn't true he would have denied it pre game for sure. Must be in players minds and of course the fans. Might well be he hasn't fully decided but he has definitely spoken to us. Papers have quotes from the interview. That would be a new level of brazen if it's not true.

Scoping out houses new signings for January and googling "what is a shelvey?"

https://gunnerstown.com/arsenal/2021/03/20/the-ultimate-review-of-unai-emerys-reign-a-detailed-account-of-the-spaniards-rise-and-fall/ Good read. AsM could be make or break.

Rumored to be wearing a black and white mankini for post game.

Its just hard to bridge the gap that English coaches have found themselves behind in the past 20 years. The press and let's be honest the pundit buddies create and renew the cycle through of praise and hype to impossible levels so its hard for any British coach to succeed, followed by an outcry of injustice when they fail which rubs fans the wrong way. Lots of English coaches are better than fans think, likewise the allure of foreign coaches is often misguided. It's probably a bit more in the middle.

Cheers. Cracking insight.

Don't worry my friend, they will get us phil brown.

An arsenal supporting mate mentioned by the end most players looked like they didnt know what they were supposed to be doing? Which goes against what I read about his tactical prowess and discipline. Do you think players had just given up on him at that point? There were rotten eggs around him that you mentioned? I wonder whether super high intensity all the time wears players down over time to the point they are mentally broken? Hence being a good short term manager but long term struggling? If he gets the players/characters he needs (with a good DOF appointment) that should be less of a problem. If things go to plan I don't see much more than a handful or so of the current squad being here in a year or so.

Tbf I was all in for Sexy Futball when Gullit came. How terribly that went. Seems similar but Emery is a bit more forward thinking than Rafa. It will be polar opposite to what we have had in every aspect. That is needed. I hope he is a bit more personable that Rafa and some ex players have said about him. We need some militance right now though no doubt.

Make it sound 60/40 in favour of happening lol Just can't understand why it's all been leaked today rather than tomorrow. It isn't helpful to anyone.. Maybe to test fan/public reaction? If he really is a bit undecided, I would be pissed he has been put in an awkward position before an important match tonight. I am still in a likely unnecessary flap panic mode from the last few years though and not believing anything until its announced!

Think he would be a good fit with Campos or Overmars too. He has worked with Henrique.

https://www.themag.co.uk/2021/11/villarreal-president-admits-powerless-to-stop-unai-emery-joining-newcastle-if-he-wants-to-go-newcastle-united/ Apologies for the conglomerate source. Can't think anyone is happy this all broke the day of an important game though.

Aye. Henrique at PSG Miguel Ángel Tena at Villereal Was involved getting a DOF at Arsenal, recommended Mochi (roma) deal agreed but he opted for Sevilla instead in the end. Think he overlapped with edu, who was another catalyst for his dismissal maybe?

Bit weird and disrespectful having this leak the day of potentially his last Villarreal match. Doesn't feel like it fully adds up but lots of journos in reasonable standing going for it as happening. Very happy if true, not a pulse racer but a really astute appointment of a proven winner and someone hungry with unfinished business in the PL. Cracking appointment if it happens. Not convinced yet though!

Literally no idea why Fernandez isn't playing. Very rarely puts a foot wrong. Likewise Schar, who while maybe a little suspect defensively, is a leader for Switzerland. Hayden and Lascelles have been my biggest disappointments and simply haven't stepped up to be leaders, likewise making stupid mistakes and decisions. You can say the same about Ritchie but he should have been gone 3 years ago so there is no surprise there. Much rather dummett or Lewis there. We have to change something at the back. Hopefully almiron and willock back in the midfield too.

I'd worry how many here would buy back in, considering the reports many we thankful for Bruce, even if they wanted a happy medium by the end. A moot point as he can ship out and bring his own players in. Could be problematic from now to January if he did return if there are too many. A bunch will have a right sulk on. They will be ones first out the door regardless of who the new manager is though. Pretty much those on most people's list of who to keep will buckle down and welcome him with open arms.

If it's someone in a job I expect they have been sounded out somehow (illegally? Lol) then we will see a formal approach happen later this week. We must have informally interviewed them though. I can't see a scenario we have interviewed all the other people we apparently have but have now decided to move for someone we haven't even spoken to (unofficially). Fingers crossed we know soon!