The Mail is reporting that Rafa Benitez is on his way to Newcastle and hopefully will meet with Lee Charnley and maybe even Mike Ashley later today or tomorrow.
With Newcastle known to travel at a snail’s pace – and that’s only on good days – the unveiling is likely to happen tomorrow.
But is is very important that Rafa gets down to work quickly and it looks like he will be in charge of the team for Monday night’s game at league leaders Leicester City – and we’ll maybe even have a chance of taking something from that game.
Rafa Benitez – This is what it could look like tomorrow
Taken from a tweet of a very creative Newcastle fan
Tomorrow is when the players report back for training, so hopefully Rafa and the new coaching staff will be ready and waiting for them.
With tomorrow being a Saturday we may well see some fans at Darsley Park to potentially welcome Rafa Benitez as he attempts to save us from relegation – although he’s not exactly used to managing teams at the bottom of league table – only this at the top.
Rafa is the best manager we have had since Sir Bobby Robson was sacked in late August, 2004 – one day before I retired – if only I had known.
🙂
The Tyne Wear derby is a week on Sunday, but then Rafa will have two weeks to work with the team before the relegation 6 pointer at Norwich City on Saturday 2nd September.
Assuming Rafa signs and Newcastle don’t manage to screw it up – then it will be very important to put aside the antics of this week and get right behind the manager and the players.
Newcastle fans can helps the team produce a mini miracle and save our season.
It will be worth it if we can survive and have Rafa in charge of the transfers in the summer.
We expect Rafa to be welcomed with open arms by fans as our potential savior – and we must survive this season in the Premier League now that this has happened.
The press may even like us with Rafa in charge.
Well I’m getting carried away again.
Howay The Lads!!
142 comments so far
keeleytoon
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Comment #41Unbelievable…. He’s a quality manager. Just see him on ssn, I am
Actually shocked.
Goldmbemba
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Comment #42BandB
I think you could be right. I dont know how we’ve got Rafa but we need to make the most of this opportunity. If this all ends in disaster then the club will be at a new (new, new, new) all time low.
I can only imagine Rafas being tempted with £ALL the tv money from next year minus £1 for ashley.
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:09 PM
Comment #43Sportioco Directivo
ilovetoon8788
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:09 PM
Comment #44it’s still hard to say if our players have it in them to play to the their potential.
rafa has his work cut out for sure.
Goldmbemba
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #45gorgonzola
sounds like Rafa’s footballing philosophy
SPRINGY
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #46is this rafa’s toughest job?…..if he signs obviously
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #47Heart attack moment, saw the headline for SSNs Keith Downie bring at SJP – thought it said “Dowie at SJP” just sat down with some sugary tea and fanned myself with an old season ticket.
He’s here for ‘negotiatons’ peeps. Hold your ground!
“Bobby…Bobby! You’ve got to go out and do some Ambassadoring were getting murdered on the blogs…Bobby! Bobby ”
“He can’t hear you with the lid on, Lee”
“Oh. Hi, Steve. You’re still here? Have you got your moby on you”
“Yes I do”
“Could you just go down to the car park for a minute? Graemes got a phone call to make..”
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:13 PM
Comment #48He’s confident if he accepts a three year deal
At least two of those could be spent in the championship.
AncientC
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:13 PM
Comment #49I will not be instantly won over if Benitez arrives. He has been hit and miss throughout his management career, but when it is hit – admittedly, he normally wins silverware.
He could be absolutely perfect for this club, or the complete wrong fit. I remember Dalglish coming in and trying to make the side difficult to beat, there is something about the club that does not seem to respond well to defensive, or if you prefer, ‘balanced’ tactics.
Brendan Rodgers was the manager that I wanted, but fans generally know what is good for their club, so I will defer to the majority opinion on this one.
beermonkey
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Comment #50just reading an article in the sun (yes i know)
and they said this about colo
The Argentine has been symptomatic of the problems at Newcastle for some time.
He is seen as a trouble maker and many at the club wanted him out last summer.
Yet, having effectively gone on strike in pre-season, Coloccini ended up being given a new deal, as he was a cheap option and they were struggling to get other centre-backs through the door.
And it came back to bite McClaren in spectacular fashion, when his skipper knifed him the back last week by telling training ground staff how he could not believe his boss had not yet been sacked.
i have not heard that about him any1 else
Shadow_Shearer
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Comment #51https://mobile.twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/708291674003415040?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
hibbitt
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Comment #52have any of McClarens staff be sacked ?????
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:15 PM
Comment #53Ah there’s the opt out deal. Too right. And video!
Good thing he never turned up Wednesday it was hossin it down I bet his car would have turned round at Wetherby
ilovetoon8788
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:16 PM
Comment #54i can’t believe we are getting a manager of Rafa’s calibre. never thought in my wildest dream we’ll get someone like that in under Ashley.
sparky55
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:16 PM
Comment #55Absolutely stunned my No 1 choice is actually gonna get the job…thats two amazing bits of new in one day…so I’ve left work early and now officially on the razz til monday night!
My only real concern in all this is the rag tag bunch of losers he’s inherited. It will almost be mission impossible to collect two more points than sunderland between now and the end of the season but if there’s anyone who can I’m sure Rafa can.
everything crossed! 🙂 🙂
ToonAndy
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:17 PM
Comment #56Just seen Rafa on sky sports, but I won’t believe anything until Cwarr confirms it on his Twitter account…
belgrade fan
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:18 PM
Comment #57gorgo
Jel vidis ti sta mi sve mozemo kad se Majki the boy oseti ugrozeno za lovu? mada total neverovatno
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:19 PM
Comment #58😆
Some NUFC fans turning their noses up at Rafa and questioning his record. Some saying they’d prefer Pearson and the like. Lost causes they are. He’s one of the most decorated and respected managers in the game. In the world top 10 for reputation. If the most impressive manager we’ve ever appointed doesn’t get unanimous approval, then maybe sections of our fanbase are deluded.
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:20 PM
Comment #59Ashley goes all in and fires Big Bertha the PR 25-pounder. Bang! Steves out! BANG! Rafas In!
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:21 PM
Comment #60Belgrade check your keyboard it’s gone into anagram mode.
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #61DeanToon88
Something is definitely wrong. Poor Rafa has got a shit defence, no natural goalscorer and a dubious midfield. He’s got very little time to have any influence. However, his appointment should give the players and the fans a massive lift. It’s vital he rides the wave of optimism. The tension for the derby is massive already.
belgrade fan
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #62tsunki
SAid we can do everything when Mikey feels he is going to lose money
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:23 PM
Comment #63Toon Andy – Is there somebody standing vigil on Cwarrs account? Have we got someone on that?
We need to cross reference it with IndyKaila and Soccer Sauce to be absolutely sure.
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Comment #64BOOOMM! Mike appears on Nufc steps, arm around Rafa, shirt exploding like the hulk.
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Comment #65That’s my vision. Not live.
toon kk
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:26 PM
Comment #66Great appointment getting Rafa to join, unfortunately it’s to late. He should have been here in January, giving chance to bolster our league 1 defence.
We’ll still be relegated but at least it gives us some hope.
ToonMatt
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:26 PM
Comment #67Hail Wor Ashley I agree mate, I have seen people saying they would prefer Moyes or Pearson? They are indeed deluded, Benitez is a class manager and if we get him he’s the best we’ve had since Sir Bobby, I’m over the moon mate!
hibbitt
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:27 PM
Comment #68Hail Wor Ashley
your turning into a right dickhead you love having go at our fans why we are all fans we all have opinions right or wrong…… the only deluded fan is you thinking you know what your talking about
Jib
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:27 PM
Comment #69Belgrade
There’s no need to bring Tsunki’s mother into this !
AncientC
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #70Hail Wor Ashley, Benitez didn’t last very long at Inter Milan.
He has managed two clubs in a similar position to ours, this is how the story went:
“He was appointed manager of Real Valladolid for the 1995–96 season, but was sacked after only two wins in 23 games with the club bottom of the Primera División. During the 1996–97 season, Benítez took charge at Osasuna in the Segunda División, but after only nine games and one win, he was sacked.”
Put him in charge of a top club, sure, he may actually do the possible and win something. He spent a lot at Liverpool and went stale fast. Inter Milan was like a revolving door. His most recent job which people are crowing about, the Real Madrid post… the fans despised his tactics and the players couldn’t wait to get rid of him.
If Benitez was as good as his CV suggests, he wouldn’t be negotiating a contract right now for between £2 and £3 million per year.
martoon
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:29 PM
Comment #71As I said yesterday we only need to get 2 more points than the makems in our remaining games which I think is quite possible.
Hail Wor Ashley
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:29 PM
Comment #72Given Rafa has the vast majority of approval from fans, unlike Pardew, Schteve and Carver, it makes it a lot harder for the players to down tools knowing the fans are with the manager 100% from the off. Schteve was out of his depth, we all knew it and so did the players, whether intentionally or not, this led them to lacklustre performances because their was little belief and respect to begin with and when it ran out that just exacerbated the situation brought about by poor management.
WWSBRD
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:29 PM
Comment #73Personally think it’s too late to save us but I’d happily be proven wrong
Mad that Rafa is joining our shower of sh*t like must be desperate to get back to the PL
Still slyly chuffed like
ToonAndy
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:30 PM
Comment #74Rafas team to keep us up!!
———————————OBERTAN———————————–
AARONS————-RIVERE———PARDEW——–GOUFFRAN
————————–CISSE————KRUL—————————–
TIOTE—————————ELLIOT———————-MCCLAREN
————————————AMEOBI————————————
lochinvar
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:30 PM
Comment #75Yesterday my missus bought paella for tea today
What doe she know about football ?
AncientC
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:30 PM
Comment #76“In the world top 10 for reputation.”
He certainly will not be in the top 10 bracket for how much he earns. Why would that be?
toon kk
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:30 PM
Comment #77I do believe MA has at least tried to do what’s best for the club this season, but having Charnless and Carr on board is a major problem. The wally should never have been appointed in the first place.
WWSBRD
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:31 PM
Comment #78AncientC
Howay mate those clubs were a long old time ago a lot of management is experience after all and he’s not done too bad since
Goldmbemba
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Comment #79Look, we all know how this managerial gig works,
– guy gets appointed
– guy does alright for a bit
– guy loses players/fans
– guy gets sacked
– next guy comes in
– repeat
Lets just enjoy the hype for a bit!
firebug666
Mar 11, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Comment #80Blackley
We do have natural goalscorers mate, they just need service, hoping that under Rafa we will create more chances for them.
One thing is for sure, he will not tolerate the sloppy play we have witnessed this year.