Newcastle United's pursuit of Unai Emery and the disaster that followed was well documented. It was the first real test for the Magpies new owners who looked set to bring the Europa League winner to Tyneside.
However, a chaotic 24 hours saw the Newcastle chiefs fluff their lines as their managerial hunt played out in the public domain. Both Villarreal and Emery were left disappointed by how things panned out, with the Magpies later appointing Eddie Howe as head coach.
Emery's appointment would have been quite the coup for Newcastle but there were question marks over how he would far in a relegation battle. Howe is certainly proving the right choice.
READ MORE: Amanda Staveley comments top the list of reasons Paul Pogba to Newcastle is unlikely
Nonetheless, we spoke with Villarreal CF and freelance journalist Jamie Kemble for an insight into how Unai Emery has fared since turning down Newcastle.
Did Newcastle's approach for Unai Emery take Villarreal by surprise?
Jamie Kemble: "I think the timing of it certainly did. After the Europa League win, Villarreal will have felt pretty safe with Emery, but that was thrown into doubt with the Newcastle interest and the response to it.
"It's fair to say there was a surprising element to it, which was pretty clear in the scramble around the whole situation and the rush to make sure Emery stayed put. The drama around it, which came to a head on a Champions League night in which Emery answered questions about it honestly, tells me it wasn't something anyone was really expecting."
What's fans perception like of Emery?
JK: "Ultimately, he has brought Villarreal their first major trophy, and that's hugely significant for a club that doesn't have a silverware-rich history. In Europe, he has done a superb job of making the Yellow Submarine competitive, against everyone they play, be it a Europa League opponent or Juventus in the Champions League.
"There are some frustrations about struggling against some of the 'lesser' teams who are more difficult to break down, and La Liga form hasn't always been brilliant, but there is a general belief that the project is heading the right way when you combine La Liga form with that of Europe."
Do you think he would have left, had it not been leaked in the English media?
JK: "I don't think so. Emery has a very good relationship with club owner and president Fernando Roig and around the time of the leaks, conversations were going on with the owner. Due to their relationship, I've got no doubt that the two would have handled the situation openly and honestly.
"Was there a little gamesmanship from Emery to strengthen his position? Perhaps. Villarreal weren't in great league form at the time. But given what he has achieved at the club and the backing he has received, he was always going to have to conversation with Roig before leaving, and ultimately, it was that conversation that convinced him to stay and continue his current project."
What's sentiment like in Villarreal towards Newcastle, reports at the time suggested they were really unhappy?
JK: "Time is a great healer, as they say. At the time, many fans would have felt hard done by had Emery left, but I don't think it's something that crosses their mind now.
"Villarreal are ahead of where Newcastle are currently, and Emery staying was probably a reminder of that. Though, it would be remiss of me not to mention to dislike Spanish fans have generally for so-called state-owned clubs. Many Spanish fans - and clubs - feel that kind of financial backing is unfair."
Do you think the fallout of the Emery approach could impact any future transfers, given Newcastle's links with Arnaut Danjuma?
JK: "Good question. It remains to be seen ultimately, but Villarreal are run in a financially sound manner, and those who run the club tend to do what is best for the club regardless of circumstances.
"If the Yellows were offered a fee they feel is above value for a player, they are likely to consider it, unless it was from a direct La Liga rival. I don't think there would be any kind of grudge, but you can never rule out human factors. If two clubs come in with the same offer, I guess Newcastle haven't helped themselves get to the front of that line when it comes to signing Villarreal players."
How has Emery fared since turning down Newcastle?
JK: "Things have picked up for Villarreal, though there is still work to do. In the Champions League, the Yellows are flying, defeating Juventus and reaching the quarter-finals, which is an incredible achievement. It's only the third time they have managed it, and anything from here is a bonus - and I mean that financially, too, with around £40million in prize money already secured.
"In La Liga, Villarreal enjoyed a brilliant first three months of the year, but their old habit of slipping up against 'lesser' opposition away from home has held them back from making a run at the top four. That is, however, conditioned by the fact star striker Gerard Moreno has missed much of this season through injury.
"They are still right within the race for the top six. If they couple a Champions League quarter-final - or better, who knows? - with a top six finish and Europa League qualification, Villarreal will be happy, especially with some of the injury issues they have had."
Do you think he would have done a job at Newcastle?
JK: "Most likely. Emery is an obsessive manager who has done pretty well wherever he has gone. He has won trophies almost everywhere, and that's what you get from him.
"He gets critics from his time at Arsenal, but he did rather well in his first season before things went a little bit South amid some poor treatment from the press. Emery can overmanage a little sometimes, and he does need to find a way to achieve a little better consistency in the league - if I'm being picky - but there is doubting the fact he is an elite manager, and I'm pretty sure he would have done a good job if backed.
"For now, I think he wants to finish this Villarreal project, and he should stick around for at least another year, but I do think the Premier League is a challenge he wants to conquer having been left a little dissatisfied by his time at Arsenal, for both on and off the pitch reasons."
