When Rafael Benítez accepted the challenge at Newcastle United on March 11th, it looked like it would be a new era for Newcastle, but now with Newcastle all but certain to be relegated to the Championship, nothing is certain yonce again at the Tyneside club.
Rafa has been non-committal on what happens at the end of the season if Newcastle are relegated and most pundits think he will simply walk away for pastures anew from Newcastle, should that happen.
That will leave both Geordie fans and players demoralized, because even though he may have failed to save us – he will be a very hard act to follow on Tyneside by someone else coming in.
Rafa Benitez on Saturday at Villa Park
This is what Rafa had to say after the 0-0 draw on Saturday at Villa Park:
“I accepted this challenge and for me it was an opportunity to come back to the Premier League and try to show to everyone that we could do well.”
“I had the confidence in the potential of the club and the players and we were fighting until today, it could be different.”
“If Jack Colback had scored or Aleksandar Mitrovic had scored, we would be talking about we have a chance.”
“Now we have to believe that Everton will do a good game and get the result. The only thing we can do is be sure that if we have our opportunity against Tottenham we have to be ready.”
It does seem difficult for Rafa to manage in the Championship after starting last season as the manager of the world’s most famous football club – Real Madrid.
What really worries us is if Rafa does leave soon, Newcastle will have no leadership at the club – and like the last time we were relegated there will be a complete vacuum of leadership and required action on Tyneside.
The last time we were relegated nothing happened for a full six weeks and no manager was even appointed after Alan Shearer’s short contract expired.
Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley offer weak leadership at best – and it’s worrying what could happen if Lee Charnley keeps his job and heaven forbid – be allowed to select the next head coach.
It’s anybody’s guess who he could come up with this time.
His selection of the just-sacked Steve McClaren from Derby County last June was the major mistake that had Newcastle in the bottom four all season long and now very likely relegated.
Somebody (Fans Forum?) should ask Lee Charnley why he thought Steve McClaren was the “perfect coach” (his words) for Newcastle United.
Maybe that’s an indication of his level of football knowledge and understanding?
This disaster was all self-inflicted and unnecessary this season.
That’s the truth and one reason it’s so tragic.
Comments welcome.
52 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
May 9, 2016 at 8:08 AM
Comment #41I know jib you should have adult supervision when you hit that keyboard 😀
Jail for Ashley
May 9, 2016 at 8:15 AM
Comment #42Jib,
Not a stange attack at all but as you’re so keen to call out someone when you think they’re talking rubbish I thought I’d call you out. Of course they should let us know what’s happening but do you honestly think they are going to announce anything but good news with 52K unhappy punters in the stadium, the atmosphere would be toxic and that spontaneous protest that has been bubbling at the seams would surely kick off being beamed around the world. We won’t hear a thing from them until they’ve made Rafa’s confidentiality contract watertight and then we’ll wait about six weeks until they’ve had their holidays and had tome to reflect.
Jib
May 9, 2016 at 8:20 AM
Comment #43Posada
Fatty Shepherd is thicker than Tuff and Jail for Ashley combined.
He only peddled managers when the crowd got him shit-scared .
The fans in the main could see an improvement in the teams playing style (if not the results ) and cut SM a fair bit of slack.
Rewriting history is unhelpful.
All of a sudden we have posters claiming they were howling for McClaren’s blood in Sept/Oct when it’s just not true !
SPRINGY
May 9, 2016 at 8:22 AM
Comment #44posada
i wonder if charnley is to get the boot,would sheppard hoy his hat in the ring to do his job?
Jail for Ashley
May 9, 2016 at 8:25 AM
Comment #45What ever happens I think Ashley has to get rid of that sham of a board if they had any scruples the whole lot of them should resign, if he sacks them he is truly in the spotlight with no one to take the flack, none of them have had the balls to do anything I doubt very much if they could make a decision to resign. It will be interesting to hear from Moncur as he seems to be the only one who speaks without having an answer written for him.
Jail for Ashley
May 9, 2016 at 8:34 AM
Comment #46I don’t know about people howling for him to be sacked in October but I was screaming for him not to be here in the first place.
posada
May 9, 2016 at 8:44 AM
Comment #47Jib
Utter nonsense.
I think I did explain. I was not praising Shepherd. Simply trying to point out that at least there was some depth to the club. Some people there to act. Not this superficial footballing board. The office boy with no authority and the old fella in his bungalow in the midlands.
Improvement in playing style? What on earth are you talking about.
Shef Wed? The hammering from Palace. Home to Watford? Even the away win at Bournemouth we were dreadful.
posada
May 9, 2016 at 8:47 AM
Comment #48Wolly Brolly managing our great club was a insult to me as a supporter.
Something I was ashamed of from his first day until his last.
Jail for Ashley
May 9, 2016 at 8:55 AM
Comment #49Posada,
Ironically his absolutely woeful start probably kept the fans of his back, we were desperate for points and getting on that hopeless patsy’s case wasn’t going to help our cause. Bournemouth was the last straw though, that and his inane grinning after another shocking defeat.
Jail for Ashley
May 9, 2016 at 8:58 AM
Comment #50Posada,
He wasn’t called to account for the Sheff Wed debacle because despite the claims that we do cups now it suited them down to the ground to go out, would not be surprised at all if the plsyers were asked to chuck it as it was going to be a long season.
Jail for Ashley
May 9, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Comment #51Jib,
@43, don’t let what someone actually said stop you writing what you want.
Moonraker15
May 9, 2016 at 2:45 PM
Comment #52Lindisfarne
It’s easy to criticise Rafa’s team selection after we lost, but they created chances – not taken. Darlow didn’t have a serious save to make and there was enough on the field to win it. Anyway, because Sunderland beat Chelsea it would still be in their hands whatever we did!
Let’s face it; Sam got lucky again. Defoe is the difference and I think he would’ve come to Newcastle before Sunderland had the dullards tried to get him!