Eddie Howe is close to agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal to become Newcastle's head coach.
The former Bournemouth boss thought he had missed out on the role when Villarreal’s Unai Emery emerged as the preferred candidate over the weekend.
The Spaniard’s advisers - including his brother, Igor - were in the UK this week in anticipation of his unveiling ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Brighton on Saturday.
However, when Emery performed a U-turn late on Tuesday night, attention returned to Howe.
We understand some of his former Bournemouth players in the Newcastle dressing-room had already communicated their support for their old boss to the owners.