Is Villarreal’s patience with Unai Emery running out after Newcastle interest?

Unai Emery can thank his lucky stars that his billionaire employer at Villarreal, Fernando Roig, is both a grateful and forgiving man. At least for the moment. There are plenty of ruthless, elite clubs around Europe who, in identical circumstances, would already be sniffing out opportunities to poach a rival coach — not to mention eyeing up free agents like Diego Martinez or Ernesto Valverde.

In theory, the elegant, articulate and energetic 50-year-old Basque coach, winner of Villarreal’s first-ever European trophy, should be safe as houses. Last season in the Europa League he finally brought the glory that Roig and his brilliantly run, family-owned club have lusted after for a quarter of a century. But Villarreal’s 3-1 defeat to Barcelona at the weekend confirmed a run of calamitous errors, terrible luck, and horrible results.

European glory may be Emery’s calling card (he is a record four-time winner of the Europa League as manager), but defeat in Atalanta next week would mean Villarreal are knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage. Moreover their position in LaLiga (12th) is far closer to relegation (five points above the bottom three) than a spot to qualify for a UEFA competition next season (eight points off sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano.)

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Worst of all Fernando Roig Sr. and Jr., the most powerful men at the ambitious club, must be wondering if Emery’s flirtation with Newcastle earlier this month undermined his authority with the players and their trust in him. And if this is the reason the club are on a slide?

It’s well known that Newcastle interviewed Emery and Eddie Howe and, initially, the Spaniard was offered the job. It’s less well known that the Magpies were so sure that they’d got their man that they had a private jet ready to fly Emery to the north east of England the day after Villarreal’s 2-0 win over Young…