Newcastle United's new owners will be realising the "true nature of the job" after suffering the blow of Unai Emery turning down the manager's job, according to Newcastle World journalist Liam Kennedy.

Emery took to his social media account to reveal he is '100 per cent committed' to current club Villarreal despite an approach from the Magpies.

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reported that Emery was the leading contender to become Newcastle's next boss, with Eddie Howe seen as an alternative option to the Spaniard.

However, Emery's decision to rule himself out of the running to succeed Steve Bruce, who departed by mutual consent last month, has led to criticism of the club's new owners.

Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards has labelled Emery's decision to snub a move to St James' Park as 'embarrassing' for the consortium.

It comes as the first major blow to Newcastle's new owners, who completed a £305million takeover last month.

The Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund has taken a majority stake in the club and, as a result, the Magpies has become the richest club in the world.

Howe, who was originally seen as a back-up option to Emery, is thought to be the new frontrunner for the Newcastle job.

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What has Liam Kennedy said about the situation?

Kennedy admits it would have been difficult for Newcastle's new owners to understand the size of the task in front of them before taking over the reins.

However, he believes the consortium members are prepared for whatever they could face, including Emery's snub.

Kennedy told GIVEMESPORT: "I think there are a lot of off the record conversations.

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"They knew the scale of the task at hand. They had done a lot of due diligence on the football club.

"But one thing I would say is that until you get into the club itself, do you realise the true nature of the job that's needed?"

Why were the new owners so keen to appoint Emery?

Due to their injection of cash, the consortium will be looking for huge amounts of success and Emery would have been capable of delivering trophies, shown by winning four Europa League crowns and the Ligue One title.

The 50-year-old is also no stranger to the Premier League, having managed Arsenal before taking on his current role at Villarreal.

Emery has won 408 of the 765 matches he has enjoyed in the dugout, with 43 of those victories coming while in charge of the Gunners.