Newcastle set for fresh Eddie Howe talks as manager search continues
Exclusive - Newcastle United are continuing their manager search and are once again ready to enter talks with Eddie Howe, 90min understands.
Newcastle initially put together a three-man shortlist for their manager's job even before the departure of Steve Bruce - who was axed a week after the new owners took charge.
The list comprised of Howe, former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre and ex-Roma manager Paulo Fonseca.
Favre and Fonseca have not withdrawn their interest but they are concerned by Newcastle's convoluted search which saw them switch targets at the weekend when they were told of Unai Emery's interest - but both of them remain open to the idea of taking charge.
90min understands that Newcastle were contacted by a 'well-known' English agent who assured them that a deal for Emery was in place and it could be done for a set fee.
However, while Emery was keen to hear what might be on offer on Tyneside, he never personally discussed a deal or confirmed his demands - something which Newcastle were led to believe was in hand.
As talks were initiated, Emery met with Villarreal and confirmed his desire to stay, which came as a shock to Newcastle's new board who thought a deal was close.
Now talks are back on again with Howe - who came with glowing references from a number of people within the game.
Former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim - currently working in Saudi Arabia - was on the shortlist of the Public Investment Fund, Newcastle new majority owners, but that did not develop past initial talks last week.
One manager who is understood to have thrown his hat into the ring more recently is Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, who is very close to current Newcastle interim coach Graeme Jones.
Former Everton manager Martinez is intrigued by the project on offer on Tyneside, and his years spent managing Belgium shows he is more than capable of managing world-class talent and some within St James' Park believe he is a viable option.
90min can confirm that one manager who is not even been talked about on Tyneside is Rafa Benitez, despite the continued involvement at Newcastle of his advisor Owen Brown - who has been helping director Amanda Staveley.
As it stands, Howe is now the clear front-runner to claim his first job in management since leaving Bournemouth in 2020.
Sources close to Newcastle have indicated that they still hope to have a new manager appointed by the weekend - which at this time seems ambitious - but they are increasingly anxious to bring their search to an end as soon as possible.