Newcastle director: We want Howe to be the "next Alex Ferguson"

's bosses are relieved that Unai Emery passed them over in favor of Eddie Howe, who they think will be "the next Alex Ferguson" at St James' Park. 

Newcastle listed Emery and Howe as potential possibilities for their head coaching post after sacking disgruntled Steve Bruce in October - one match after the club was taken over by a group sponsored via Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. 

Emery was firstly contacted, but declined, putting Howe in charge of a faltering side on the verge of relegation.

Howe has gradually reversed the flow on Tyneside, with Newcastle on a six-match, more than two-month undefeated run heading into Saturday's meeting against Brentford. They are the only side in the

 that hasn't lost since Christmas Day. 

Newcastle executive

Mehrdad Ghodoussi

stated CEO 

Yasir Al-Rumayyan

preferred Howe "from day one" in a wide-ranging talk with The Athletic. 

Al-other Rumayyan's board members now agree that Howe was the best decision. 

"It would have been wrong [to appoint Emery]," Amanda Staveley, Ghodoussi's wife and business partner, remarked in the same interview with The Athletic.

"We made the right decision with Eddie. He's come in, no airs or graces, no ego, and we're there to support him. I've really grown to care a great deal about him and his coaches.

"We talk to Eddie multiple times a day. I'm fascinated by what he does. He's so detailed, so hard working. You don't know when you're interviewing someone what they're going to be like but he's got huge integrity."

Howe is just 14 matches into his Newcastle stay, but Ghodoussi added: "I would love Eddie to be the next Alex Ferguson."

Newcastle's board of directors also addressed the January transfer market, with Sven Botman and Jesse Lingard both claiming to want to join the club. Botman might still sign with the team at the end of the season. 

Kieran Trippier

was one of the newcomers who had an immediate impression, scoring two goals and earning the captaincy in just four league games before suffering a foot injury. 

Trippier has wowed Newcastle's management, as Staveley put it:

"He's so professional, so fit.  I've been so impressed.

"To be honest, Kieran isn't someone we'll ever sell. I've said to him, 'You're with us and that's it. You can be our Alan Shearer. You'll be a standard-bearer for Newcastle for many years to come.

"If he can play, he will stay, and I believe you might find he'll still be playing in five years' time because he's capable of it. He's got something extraordinary."

Follow 

for the