After the complete nonsense we have had to put up with over the last couple of years since the incompetent Lee Charnley has been the lead executive at the club and has no idea what he is doing – the arrival of Rafa Benitez on Tyneside a couple of months ago was like a breath of fresh air.
Here is a man who is a world-class manager and it’s obvious he is when you hear him talk to the press.
He’s down to earth, talks about real stuff and no wonder he is admired throughout the football world – and still adored by the Liverpool fans for what he did for that great club.
There’s no two steps forward three steps back nonsense coming from this man.
Rafa Benitez – this man’s so crucial to Newcastle’s future
Newcastle have too many weak-willed people in the organization.
It starts with the players and we have too many of them who were unwilling to put themselves out and fight for the shirt when the going got tough this season.
There has to be a massive clear-out of the players and there will be.
Newcastle also obviously need new leadership at the executive level as Lee Charnley and the Board of Graham Carr and Bob Moncur have taken this club down.
It would be great if Mike Ashley would terminate the pain he has put Newcastle fans through for nine years and sell the club.
But we all know that’s unlikely to happen, with us now being a second tier club – he would lose too much money – which is the only thing Mike thinks about.
Well that and the free advertising he gets at St. James’ Park.
The major position that needs to be filled is the management position.
There has been news – maybe just rumors – that Rafa is willing to stay on at Newcastle even if we were relegated, but that is by no means certain.
Rafa will see clearly the Newcastle fans are simply furious with what has happened, not only this season but last season was bad enough.
We need some strong-willed people running Newcastle and Rafa is certainly that – he’s a single-minded, ambitious, a workaholic and seems absolutely perfect for the job – especially at this time.
It’s the worst state the cub has been in since I started the blog nine years ago for those like myself who are Geordies around the world away from home base.
The former Liverpool manager would be perfect at this terrible and tragic time to basically take the club over.
He should be given total control of everything he wants total control of – and whoever the lead executive is – they should follow Rafa’s recommendations.
And don’t interfere!
If Rafa thinks the training grounds at Benton are not good enough and the new upgraded plan need to be implemented – the club should start on that project immediately.
I’d love Rafa to take over, but in my heart of hearts I wonder if the 56 year-old wants to take on such a huge project, when he must know that he will be surrounded by people who have little idea what they are doing?
Rafa is no fool.
If Rafa walks away from Newcastle United the club will be in a very serious situation – more serious than those running the club will even realize.
That’s the dire situation the Board and Mike Ashley have got this club into.
25 comments so far
Wayayman
May 12, 2016 at 9:16 AM
Comment #1Last time we went down it took character to bring us back. Men like Nola, Barton, Harper and Andy Carroll gave the players an ultimatum right before the season started. That’s what got us promoted back, having a core of proper men in the team who would not let anyone give less than 100%. My worry is this time around the only characters we have in the team are Lascelles and Rob Elliot. Any chance we can sign Joey back please?
Slank
May 12, 2016 at 9:20 AM
Comment #2Charlie @ 13
The Sunderland passion is reminiscent of the passion shown by the Leicester fans last season when they were arguably in a worse position than we found ourselves in during the final games of the season.
During this season more than once have bloggers commented on how poor the crowd have been in St James Park unlike the tremendous support the away fans give to the team. Perhaps those ‘fans’ who turn up for home games don’t have the same connection to the team and club as those who travel to every away game. Has Roy Keen’s prawn sandwich brigade moved north ?
Tsunki
May 12, 2016 at 9:20 AM
Comment #3Can I just state that everything nufc-83 said previous articles is rubbish.
The squad is too weak for the PL
The management is too weak to manage a PL club
The owner hired them. He can take his money out as soon as he likes. He can strip and box this club anyway he likes. There’s your story full stop.
Tsunki
May 12, 2016 at 9:21 AM
Comment #4Oh great that does it now it’s the fans fault for being quiet. Dear oh dear.
corkypants
May 12, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Comment #5If he goes lets get Chris Hughton bk from brighton that would be a great appointment
corkypants
May 12, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Comment #6If they dont get promoted
Average_Contents
May 12, 2016 at 9:28 AM
Comment #7Nufc83
The loan isn’t payable upon a potential sale, it’s payable on demand as they’ve clearly stated previously.
Basically whenever he wants so no, it’s not good really is it.
He has and continues to have us over a barrel with our keks down waiting to get fcuked again.
Who knows, it might come to fruition what many have feared. He strips us bare of assets, not just on the field but off and decided to do what he’s done with his other failing businesses.
He might not but we are correct in fearing the worst because that’s all we’ve had is t
It not.
Fat slug out!
Jib
May 12, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Comment #8I love gallows humour
Slank
May 12, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Comment #9Tsunki
I am merely commenting on what many have already said during the whole season.
The crowd can make a huge difference and it was no surprise when Benetez asked for the crowd to get behind the team.
There has been a lack of passion and support at some home games. The team always gets fantastic away support which is quite remarkable given the team’s poor away record. There just seems to be a disconnect between the away support and the home support. It’s as if there are two completely different sets of fans.
Laurent Robert 32
May 12, 2016 at 9:33 AM
Comment #10The Sunderland ‘passion’ is inflating it quite a lot. They’ve been crap for loads of the season, and have a centre forward who has scored about 18 goals yet will still only finish a few points above us. Had we had Defoe we’d be a lot more than a few points ahead with 18 goals in the bank. Plus, they’ve had Hungry Hippo since a lot earlier than the low number of games Rafa had.
Beating us in recent years has given them enough points to keep them up, they’ll run out of that luck next year.
shaun83
May 12, 2016 at 9:34 AM
Comment #11My email to Mile Ashley 28th May 2015. It was always unlikely to get a response.
Mike,
I enjoyed your sky sports interview on Newcastle United at the weekend. To deliver on it though it’s clear help is needed. Whether that involves lee going to a CFO role or if he continues to front as MD but being “supported” by an advisor.
I’d happily throw my hat in the ring, even to support temporarily until the HC situation is resolved. I have held big four consulting and large roles in blue chips in strategy and transformation. I’m in Australia at the moment but back in the UK for a few weeks at the end of June. If it’s something you’ve been thinking about, let me know and we can discuss.
Should that not be of interest then I hope it goes well. I think that interview was a platform but you need someone who can execute on it, it’s a transformation role in my mind.
All the best,
Shaun
Sent from my iPhone
geordiemark
May 12, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Comment #12relegation was written on the wall way back after only 10 games most of us saw it most of us have been through relegation many times since the 70s, I still say Ashley should really sell up and take his donkies with him I do think charnley should resign with carr and moncur I wouldn’t blame rafa if he wanted to leave the man has worked hard to be a world class manager and why should the likes of Ashley continue to take the micky out of people just for the sake of a few quid, how much has relegation cost you Ashley ??? how much has free advertising for your crap empire saved you Ashley ???? how much have you put in your back pockets over sales of top players we once had ???? just do all us geordies a favour Ashley and go do one
BandB
May 12, 2016 at 9:42 AM
Comment #13Onwards and upwards was never the plan, as we couldn’t compete with Everton and Southampton.
They said so. We didn’t believe them.
Mid-table mediocrity was never the club’s plan, as we couldn’t compete with Stoke and Swansea
They said so, we didn’t believe them.
Newcastle United as a club just out-competing Sunderland and the promoted sides was the plan. They said so, but we didn’t believe them.
Nor will busting a gut to come straight back up again be the plan, as Fulham and Forest are about our level in the eyes of the boss.
But you won’t believe it.
Slank
May 12, 2016 at 9:42 AM
Comment #14Laurent @ 10
A team cannot escape by its skin of its teeth every season like Sunderland.
The inevitable will happen. Sam steadies the ship, he certainly has the bulk for that, but relegation is almost a foregon conclusion.
Wayayman
May 12, 2016 at 9:42 AM
Comment #15By the way, the home atmosphere has been rubbish for a while now. Since some wise man moved the noise makers to other parts of the ground and split them up.
Laurent Robert 32
May 12, 2016 at 9:44 AM
Comment #16Slank, yes. The more times you flirt with relegation, the more likely the team is to be a few points worse off which will send you down the trapdoor – Just like us.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
May 12, 2016 at 9:45 AM
Comment #17Hibbit
Cheers
Slank
The atmosphere in ST James’ has never been the same since the powers that be moved the singers in the Leazes End into the Gallowgate.
As for relegation could be a blessing in disguise – for the last two/three seasons we have bumped along the bottom.
And if we stayed up money or no money would we of had another season in a relegation dogfight.
Hopefully Ashley after two relegations realises that his blueprint has not worked and a complete change of direction is needed.
First – pull out all the stops to keep Benitez
Second – get rid of Charmless and Carr
Third – change the transfer policy by signing older players who have the experience and ability and HUNGER to still make it ie: Defoe, Huth to name two who h would have helped the TOON but would not sign – ‘TO OLD’
If RAFA does not stay I would rather have some young manager like Florres at Watford
DAVEMAC
May 12, 2016 at 9:53 AM
Comment #18Well the inevitable has happened and it is all self inflicted. Stated on hear when Wally was appointed that we would go down and lo and behold unfortunately I have been proved right, you get what you deserve in the world of football and we have fully deserved what we have got.
Ashley has once again proved he is an absolute disaster for our club, indeed for any club he has a connection with, ask Rangers supporters. His talk at the end of last season about winning a cup and finishing it top eight proved to be what most people thought it was a PR stunt at the time which has come back to bite him big style.
He and he alone is totally to blame for what has happened to us, people blame Charnley, Carr, Moncur and Wally and yes they all have failed in their jobs and deserve the criticism that goes there way but, and it is a big but, Ashley appointed them and stood idly by and watched whilst they destroyed the club. If they had been working for SD and had produced the same degree of incompetence they would have been fired long before Xmas yet this lot have been allowed to continue to run the farce and shambles that is now NUFC.
I stated a long time ago that NUCF is now a club in name only and it is still the same. If Rafa goes, which I expect him to but hoping he wont, then the trouble we are now in will be miniscule to what we will be in next season as others on here have already stated there are no leaders, no decent manager, nothing going for us at all. I can see another Leeds scenario with us under those conditions. Ashley has to make Rafa an offer that it is impossible to refuse to get him to stay if that happens we do have a chance if not then we are doomed for a long painful decline.
As a final note how anyone can proportion any of the blame for the mess we are in on the fans, as stated already on here, is totally beyond me after all we have had to put up with with this idiot owning the club, seems Ashley has still got some support from other idiots.
Their is one other good championship manager available so I believe, he goes by the name of McLaren, see what he can do for us eh?
shaun83
May 12, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Comment #19Rafa apparently has a three year contract. Putting a relegation release cause in there smelt a bit off anyway but I think he owes it to the club to try and get us back up next season. It’s not like the results have been there since he took over. Sunderland have out performed us. At times big improvement but at times nowhere near good enough, especially first half.
I just hope charnley and co don’t screw up, again!
BandB
May 12, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Comment #20Rangers inexorable rise back to the top flight and eventual European football was halted for just one season.
That’s right. The season Mike Ashley and his cronies spent trying to re-shape it as a Sports Direct milk cow.
Once frustrated, he tried to take a wrecking ball to it.
We’ll still be here when he is gone?
Don’t bank on it.
It’s just 18 months since we were resigning ourselves to mid-table mediocrity and thinking that was as bad as it could get.
Slank
May 12, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Comment #21Charlie @ 17
You are right about us ‘bumping along the bottom’. A stretch in Championship will probably be good for us. Sometimes in life you have to take a step back before going forward.
I would like to see Carr and Charnley resign. Far too many players recruited by Carr have failed. It can be argued that some law of averages say that some will fail and that is possibly true but there just seems too many.
Some players need time to adapt, perhaps the odd one but we have seen players not only not make the first team but not even the bench.
Carr and Charnley to fall on their swords.
stuart no9
May 12, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Comment #22i must say , after watching the game yesrerday , sunderland are a premier league side and we are a championship one.
Ok you can argue that evertons keeper has never been a keeper, but it could have ben 5 or 6 easy.
I really thought we would do it , even at half time i was waiting for the error that normally newcastle make and let them back in it , sadly it never happend.
I still think rafa will stay , although my last 2 predictions have been wide of the mark , i hope raffa dosnt make it 3.
Sunday is really important for the club, forget the football , forget the players , forget Ashly , Charnley , Carr , Moncur, they are not important at this minute in time , we can deal with them later, what is important is that Raffa stays , that is all tht matters at the minute . forget the result we have to look long term, and by that i mean we must make sure on sunday that raffa knows where his next 5 years years are going to be .
Its all about Raffa .If he stays this relegation will be much more easy to handle , if he goes , it will be a double whammy amdno way back .
Give Raffa all the support you can muster for 90 solid minutes make him understand this is not just a ” football club ” this is our way of lifr , our lively hood, our passion , make him want to be part of it , asmuch as he is an adopted scouse , let him see how much we love and need him , make it impossible for him to turn his back on us . We need to it , its our only and last chance or we could be stuck down there for years to come . So sing your hearts out boys
davis_toons
May 12, 2016 at 10:49 AM
Comment #231. Ashley will Never Sell. Like he said.
2. That trip to Dubai was Carp. (he needs to be push to find a buyer again)
3. 400M and he’ll discuss.
sloveniangeordie
May 12, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Comment #24If Rafael Benitez will left Newcastle United and we couldn’t bring Hughton (if he get promoted with Brighton) back, then we should consider to bring Kevin Nolan as manager-player back to Tyneside. He done a really good job at Leyton Orient and can motivate his teammate and players to give more than 100 % to bring this club back where it’s belong.
Yeah, that’s my dream, but reallity is Benitez will not be our manager next season, we couldn’t get his replacement and team of Ashley-Charnley-Carr will find someone they know very well. I’m affraid we will get stuck with someone like Joke Kinnear for a couple of years. Right now I don’t have any hope we can get back to Premier league next year.
nufc 11
May 12, 2016 at 11:19 AM
Comment #25surely if we get rid of colo,taylor,sisisoko,cisse,janmatt, and shelvey and Carr that would cover enough costs to keep rafa and a couple of loan deals and wel be fine. Rafa has already got the team on track wel walk the championship with rafa at the helm regardless of a few over paid underpreforming internationals.