Emre of Newcastle United celebrates scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park on October 07, 2007
Former Newcastle United midfielder Emre
Former Newcastle United midfielder Emre Belozoglu is not in the running to be come the next Hull City boss, despite being interviewed for the role. Tigers owner Acun Ilicali has revealed he met the Turkish star, as well as former Sunderland boss Michael Beale.
However, Hull are expected to look elsewhere for the man to replace Ruben Selles at the MKM Stadium following extensive meetings in London. City fans threatened protests when Emre was first linked with the role, after he was given a two-and-a-half-month suspended prison sentence for a racist slur he used against midfielder Didier Zokora in 2012.
The ex-Turkey international played 80 times for Newcastle durng a three-year stay on Tyneside from 2005-2008, famously scoring in a 3-2 win over Sunderland. However, it appears he won't be returning to English football after Ilicali revaled to our sister site Hull Live that they are exploring other options.
"Yes, (we've come here to speed up the process)," Ilicali told Hull Live. "My team is also here with me, and we had two manager meetings, which I came over for. Today was a beautiful day for me because I'm very happy about our interviews, and I think we are at a good point. Yes (we've made good progress). Today was an important day for us because I think we are at least two steps closer to our decision.
"I would say that I think it will take no more than one week. In one week, I think we will come to a point with a manager, but I don't think that he will be one that you have heard of.
"I don't want to mention too much about the possibility of the managers because I don't feel good when I'm talking about managers on behalf of the managers, like it is possible, it is not possible. It is like me judging them. I believe all the managers we are talking to are very good managers. I think Emre is a top manager. Michael Beale, when you speak to him, you understand that he knows so much about the game.
"We have football minds in the club that will decide about this manager, and I cannot say at the moment to you that this one is like this or this one is like this, but what I can say is that I'm very hopeful to finish the deal in one week.
"Yes (there are other potential candidates), because you only hear about two of our candidates. At the moment, we have five and one of them looks day by day more suitable for our club, but none of you know the name."