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Pundit issues 'massive' Newcastle claim after latest on Emenalo talks
Newcastle have been handed a “massive blow” after Michael Emenalo reportedly rejected the director of football job, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the position needs to be filled “quickly” ahead of the January window.
As per the Telegraph (4 December), Emenalo turned down the role offered to him after he remained unconvinced that Newcastle matched his ambitious plans for the club.
However, club co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi insisted the Nigerian had not been offered the role (5 December).
Emenalo emerged as the leading candidate for the vacancy after this site revealed (9 November) that he had flown out to Saudi Arabia for talks.
The Magpies confirmed the departure of managing director Lee Charnley last month (19 November), paving the way for a new appointment.
Whelan suggested the news will be “disappointing” for the ambitious St James’ Park club.
“It’ll be really disappointing for Newcastle – no one likes rejection,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They’ll have thought that they had put something on the table which could entice and tempt him to join.
“They will have wanted to fill that role as quickly as possible. Even more so when they have a massive window coming up.
“They have the manager through the door, now they need that second person in so they can put their heads together ahead of January.
“It is huge, a massive blow. That jigsaw piece still needs to be fit in. It needs to be done quickly so they can get to work.”
Newcastle secured their first win this season with a 1-0 home victory over Burnley on Saturday (4 December).
The Tyneside club currently sit 19th in the table.
In other news, Newcastle have been told to complete the ‘shock’ signing of an ‘amazing’ Liverpool player not in the starting XI.