Newcastle may be 'down by January' after Emery twist today - pundit
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Unai Emery would have been a "panic signing" for Newcastle United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker insisted Newcastle need to act swiftly to appoint a manager because they could be "down by January".
Emery confirmed today (November 3) he was "100 per cent" focused on Villareal but admitted he was flattered by the interest from Newcastle.
A club source then told Football Insider they are in advanced talks with Eddie Howe and they are confident he will be appointed as their new boss.
"Emery struggled with Arsenal, he didn't do well at Arsenal, so I don't think it would have been a good appointment, no," Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
"Newcastle are absolutely miles off it. They've been linked with every manager walking the earth and they've not signed one yet. It's like a panic signing, for me.
"Where did his name even come from? Yes, he won the Europa League with Villareal but would he have been the answer for Newcastle? I wasn't sure.
"Whoever they do bring in has one hell of a job to do. At the moment, for me, Newcastle are the second-favourites to go down after Norwich.
"The manager needs to get results before January, he can't wait until January to get players in because they could be down by January and 10, 15 points off safety.
"They need to get wins now and you can't see where their next win is coming from."