da dobrowin： According to a recent report from The Daily Telegraph, Rafa Benitez looks set to leave Newcastle United this summer if his transfer wishes aren’t fulfilled this month. The Spaniard took over at St James’ Park back in March 2016, and while he couldn’t keep the club in the Premier League that season, he has since led them back to the top-flight, and indeed helped them to a tenth place finish upon return to the top tier last term.
da bet7： Yet a recent report from The Daily Telegraph suggests that the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager is at the end of his tether at repeatedly being denied the transfers he so clearly needs to take the Magpies forward, and were owner Mike Ashley to indeed fail to provide Benitez with the two signings he reportedly (as per The Daily Telegraph) wants this month, and thus lose the Spaniard come the summer, it would be the biggest mistake of his shocking Newcastle reign.
The Breakdown
Ultimately, Ashley’s relationship with Newcastle supporters has hit a new low in recent times, pretty much ever since Benitez took over at St James’ Park given the businessman has failed to adequately equip the Spaniard with the tools needed to transform the North East heavyweights.
Their run to tenth place last time round, in what was their first season back in the top-flight, was nothing short of extraordinary and testament to just how good a coach and manager Benitez is – another manager may well have struggled to keep that squad, made up chiefly of those players that won the Championship 12 months earlier, in the Premier League, let alone finish in the top half.
Managers of the calibre of Benitez do not come around too often for clubs outside the top six like Newcastle United, yet owner Ashley doesn’t appear to be doing his utmost to keep arguably the best manager the Magpies have had in recent years at the football club.
The North East giants, despite the recent years of big spending and extortionate transfer fees, haven’t broken their transfer record since the summer of 2005 when they lured Michael Owen to St James’ Park – that’s 13-and-a-half years of standing still and watching others ease past them.
Ashley is without doubt responsible for the two relegations Newcastle have suffered in the last ten years, and failing to properly back Benitez in the final eight days of this transfer window would not only see the Spaniard leave the club, but it may also see them playing Championship football next season.
Yes, with Benitez at the helm, relegation is unlikely, but there are only so many times the 58-year-old can continue to produce miracles – he only wants two additions this month, it’s not as if he is asking for a complete overhaul of the squad (which is arguably what is needed in the long-term).
Clearly then, Ashley has continuously failed Newcastle, not least the fans who are aware of the potential their club has, under Benitez, to compete much higher up the Premier League table than they are now – ultimately, it’s the fans that have kept Benitez at the club.
But were the Magpies owner fail to land the two signings Benitez wants this month, and thus reportedly (as per The Daily Telegraph) lose the Spaniard come the summer, that would represent the biggest mistake of what has already been a frankly shocking Ashley reign.
Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!