Another day and still no decision made on Steve McClaren taken by Lee Charnley – and this thing is dragging out to the embarrassment of the Newcastle club, who cannot seem to make a decision on anything.
So once again Steve McClaren will take the training tomorrow after he had a telephone conversation with the Managing Director this afternoon.
But surely this thing cannot go on too much longer and while the press conference for the Leicester game that was due to take place tomorrow has been cancelled – surely it will need to take place on Friday – and somebody will have to represent Newcastle.
However, the good news, maybe something that could become really good news shortly – is there are various reports – one being in the Northern Echo tonight – that Newcastle are becoming more confident they can get Rafa Benitez to Newcastle.
Rafa Benitez – talks gong fairly well
Newcastle have been discussing Rafa’s potential appointment with his representatives over the last couple of days – and reports are that his reps have been positive to Newcastle’s overtures.
There appears to be a growing confidence at the club that the former Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager could agree to take over Newcastle for the remainder of the season.
If that happens we would have a fighting chance to save our Premier League status – and if we survived then the summer could be terrific with Rafa in charge and big money being made available by owner Mike Ashley.
Indeed, it’s almost like Newcastle have to pull of a coup like signing Benitez or former Everton manager David Moyes after the nonsense that has been going on this week – which only shows up the club as being almost in a complete mess.
Rafa would be the best manager hired at Newcastle since we sacked the great Sir Bobby Robson in 2004, because he only got Newcastle to 5th place in the Premier League, after being in the top four and in the Champions League in both of the previous seasons.
The potential Benitez deal will be one until the end of the season and then presumably if we survive then a long term deal could be signed in the summer – but Newcastle must stay in the Premier League for that to happen.
It’s likely the basics of a potential permanent deal are being negotiated right now – but a three month deal will be the one signed by Rafa – if anything is signed.
What is complicating discussions is the power the manager will have in the transfer market, as we mentioned last night, and it’s very unlikely the Spaniard would be willing to have Graham Carr making the decisions in the transfer market.
Rafa has so much more experience than Graham in signing players and he will also have lots of contacts throughout Europe – so if this is what stops Newcastle signing Rafa they want their heads examined.
But lots of fans thought those running the club needed their heads examined when they have kept Steve McClaren in place as he has taken the club into such a precarious position in the Premier League.
Another difficulty is that Rafa wants to bring in his own back-room staff – but why would we not agree to that – because it would give us the best chance of avoiding relegation in May.
It’s not surprising that Rafa has also been promised a huge bonus by Newcastle if he is able to keep us in the Premier League in May.
Newcastle have this one chance to gain a little credibility back with their fans, after what has been another disastrous season – much worse than last term.
They cannot afford to screw this one up – and if they do they are likely to feel a backlash from fans who are simply fed up with the inept way the club has been run for far too long.
Get Rafa Benitez in as soon as possible.
Comments welcome.
134 comments so far
GeordieTwo
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:30 PM
Comment #1I think Rafa would be grand but really what are our chances? He’s a sensible man with real football brains. Would he want to spend time listening to Charnley prattle on?
GeordieTwo
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:33 PM
Comment #2Is this all just more bollocks to cheer us up? Because we couldn’t handle another let down. If we really are going after Rafa all well and good but this had better not be more bullcr@p.
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:34 PM
Comment #3no he would not….. The man needs total control and a decent budget….
If Ashley has a gram of brains he would appoint him asap….but he doesn’t seem to do so.
ShirebrookToon
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:38 PM
Comment #4Think ed needs to spell check before he posts a new article. Gorwing I’m confidence hmmmmmm
KevinHann
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:40 PM
Comment #5“Indeed it’s almost like Newcastle have to pull of a coup like signing Benitez or former Everton manager David Moyes…”
Moyes a coup?!
I’m shocked there’s no article suggesting Austin as manager yet.
Spitfire
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:42 PM
Comment #6…..and if Mr McLaren had any dignity or bottle he would just resign now and leave the whole shower of them to sort out their mess
Tsunki
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:43 PM
Comment #7Shire – just be glad it’s not “Newcatsle”.
hibbitt
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:43 PM
Comment #8its all down to what Rafa wants can they agree i don’t know but if they can the odds on us staying up must be better
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:45 PM
Comment #9hibbitt
one would think, but not with Ashley in charge…. 0 sense
hibbitt
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:48 PM
Comment #10Benitez is a coup Moyes is more of the same
bettyswallocks
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:49 PM
Comment #11Charnley had a mishap in the elevator and pooped his pants. He’s taking this shit to a new level.
ShirebrookToon
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:50 PM
Comment #12Rafa wants choc hob nobs with the afternoon tea but the budget won’t allow it. A counter offer of rich tea has been submitted
bettyswallocks
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:50 PM
Comment #13Good evening Welshie. How’ve ewe been?
stuart no9
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:51 PM
Comment #14Can someone explain to me how ed knows there is growing confidence that Newcastle can get Benitez ? Where does that come from ? Who knows that . ? Benitez promised a huge bonus for keeping us up? Says who ? No one been talking so how on this planet does anyone know those kind of remarks be genuine . It’s total garbage as far as I am concerned ,pure speculation to sell papers , and I’m surprised at Ed for believing such nonsense . Talk about getting our hopes up then half an hour later crushing us again with “maclaren stays ” headlines .
Give over Ed , and wait for some evidence before writing an article please .
21st Century Schizoid Man
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:55 PM
Comment #15KevinHann
That’s Austin Powers of course ?
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Mar 9, 2016 at 8:58 PM
Comment #1621st Century Schizoid Man
i think the big question is who does number 2(maca) work for?
dok - the horrid colonial
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:00 PM
Comment #17betty…
Charnley had a mishap in the elevator and pooped his pants. He’s taking this shit to a new level.’
just spit all over my computer, please send me a new one 🙂
‘
Jib
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:01 PM
Comment #18These biscuit jokes are hilarious please tell us some more
lochinvar
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:05 PM
Comment #19If Rafa is to arrive and has his own back room staff with him then that would suggest a more permanent deal. Unlikely that back room staff would roll into town for just 10 games ? Even more unlikely that Charnley would pay them on that basis.
expatmag
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:06 PM
Comment #20BBC reporting McLaren remaining in charge.
In the words of Private Fraser, “doomed”
21st Century Schizoid Man
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:11 PM
Comment #21Expat
only til tomorrow
If he’s still in Toon Sunday then we’re gonners
Jib
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:13 PM
Comment #22http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/03/09/potential-newcastle-boss-rafa-benitezs-bitter-feud-with-sunderla/
only one bobby robson
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:14 PM
Comment #23Rafa requested Jaffa cakes to sign contract so charnley went to Tescos and came back empty handed saying sorry I just couldn’t get them over the line !
Average_Contents
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:15 PM
Comment #24Someone’s at it again 😉
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/2/820270148?-11058:809
JackButler
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:16 PM
Comment #25Got a feeling we won’t be able to get this one over the line
GeordieTwo
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:16 PM
Comment #26It’s like pulling teeth to get something out of this club. Is tomorrow decision day or not?
Jib
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:18 PM
Comment #27I think remains in charge for another 24 hours.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35768923
lesh
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:20 PM
Comment #28They’re still keeping McClaren in limbo – apparently pending the appointment of a successor (or so they would like us to think).
What difference does it make who they choose to appoint? McClaren’s shown over 28 games that he’s not good enough so he’s not going to turn things round.
Why the hell don’t they just show some respect and sack him now. Because Charnley hasn’t got the guts.
firebug666
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:23 PM
Comment #29Benitez would love the Toon, especially as there is no love lost between him and Big Sam at the scum, the rivalry for the derby would go up a few notches.
And win lose or draw Benitez would demand a performance.
Fostino
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:29 PM
Comment #30Mcclaren must be a harmless man…who’s only hanging around for a severance package. Why else would you hang around when the club are looking for new boss.
On another note …we are a cheapskate club for not firing him and his crap staff already
Benefiz woukd be awesome
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:36 PM
Comment #31BBC reporting McLaren remaining in charge. 😀 hahahaha love it….wow
Lindisfarne
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:37 PM
Comment #32Shabby does not do it justice:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/09/steve-mcclaren-newcastle-rafa-benitez
bettyswallocks
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:46 PM
Comment #33Alcohol won’t solve our problems, then again neither will milk or orange juice.
firebug666
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:47 PM
Comment #34Lindisfarne
Reading that if Benitez gets the job it’s more than just McClaren that’s getting paid off, Benitez wants his own staff brought in.
That may be after his ten games of cause, and only if we stay up.
One way of the other this will be a nice little earner for Benitez.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:49 PM
Comment #35It is actually incredible that they have not learned from the experience of keeping Carver and the devastating affect he had on the club. By holding on to him for so long it showed to everyone involved with the club what a bunch of clowns we have in charge, sure we signed players, only the very elite choose clubs now just for style of play or trophies, there are many more who are just happy with the pay day and don’t give a shit what happens to the club, we have about 17 of them in the squad.
dok - the horrid colonial
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:52 PM
Comment #36firebug @ 29, my thought exactly… esp going into a HUGE derby…
firebug666
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:56 PM
Comment #37dok
They fell out over a decade ago, when Sam managed Blackburn, and Benitez was at Liverpool, the spent a bit of time slagging each other off.
Benitez will win us this derby if he comes in, if only to stick two fingers up at Sam 😀
Tsunki
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:58 PM
Comment #38Picture caption –
“Talk to the hand…”
firebug666
Mar 9, 2016 at 9:59 PM
Comment #39Here’s a link to the Benitez and Fat Sam feud if anyone wants to read it.
I want Benitez in for the derby, simply because I want to see him get our team playing to win.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/03/09/potential-newcastle-boss-rafa-benitezs-bitter-feud-with-sunderla/?
Tsunki
Mar 9, 2016 at 10:00 PM
Comment #40Jail that’s exactly the scenario they are revisiting.
“We’re in crusts and sinking fast, what do we do?”
“Same as last year, Graeme. It worked, didn’t it?”
“Well, yes…but…”