If Rafa Benitez does leave Newcastle this summer, probably next week, then Newcastle are basically dead and buried – and the news is that they will then turn to the likes Geordie Steve Bruce as the new manager will hardly inspire the Newcastle faithful.
The fans’ dreams of Newcastle’s greatness have been torn apart ever since Mike Ashley bought the club in late May of 2007.
Since then the club has spiralled downwards in almost every category and we are again the laughing stock of the nation.
The one hope we have is Rafa stays on Tyneside but Newcastle icon Alan Shearer seems 100% certain he will walk away from Newcastle.
Rafa Benitez
The thing that really worries us about Alan’s comments is that he may have talking to Rafa, so he knows what Rafa’s real thinking is.
Rafa made a point o telling everybody that he talked to Alan a few times before he first accepted the job at Newcastle in March.
This is what Alan said about Rafa on BBC 5 Live:
“A guy of great stature, a world-renowned coach with his CV managing in the Championship?” “I can’t see it happening.”
“I’d love to be wrong.”“It would be brilliant if he was to stay.”“I know it’s a huge football club and I know he’s been very impressed with how the fans have taken to him but I’d be amazed if he stayed.”
“I’m sure he’ll have loads and loads of offers, not only from the Premier League but from around the world.”
“When you’ve been flirting with relegation for so long the inevitable will happen.”
“When you don’t address problems that have been glaringly obvious for years then, ultimately, you get what you deserve.”
“That’s one thing Newcastle have been good at this season, putting statements out.” “Maybe they should have looked at what went wrong a bit earlier.”
“It might be a bit late to look at it now.”
If Rafa leaves it would be devastating to fans who may have to do with Steve Bruce, Tony Pulis or a similar type of mediocre manager.
Not unlike Steve McClaren – come to think of it.
Newcastle will be in serious trouble and will lose significant support around the world and in fact that has already happened since people will not be able to watch the team play on TV next season.
It’s all very tragic and to hear that the Chronicle believe the incompetent Lee Charnley will likely stay on as Managing Director is simply appalling.
Where is the accountability at Newcastle?
There is none and that’s one reason the club is now in a complete mess from top to bottom.
119 comments so far
Slank
May 12, 2016 at 1:48 PM
Comment #1I would think that Everton have more to do with the possibility of Rafa leaving than anything Shearer had said.
Malackay
May 12, 2016 at 1:51 PM
Comment #2Rafa will go to Everton…….. begs the question….. who’s next manager through the door?
Pearson the obvious choice for me. I’d even make an argument for Pulis ifhe doesn’t renew at WBA
c-dog
May 12, 2016 at 1:51 PM
Comment #3Sacking Graham Carr with immediate affect would help my mood. How often does that fraud turn up at SJP?
Jib
May 12, 2016 at 1:52 PM
Comment #4http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/everton/next-permanent-manager
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 12, 2016 at 1:53 PM
Comment #5FDB has expressed interest in the everton job already. Koeman and pellegrini also linked. No mention of raffa. He was also a very popular Liverpool manager, so there is plenty working against him being next everton boss
Ibizatoon
May 12, 2016 at 1:54 PM
Comment #6Slank…Not to be rude, but I don”t care what Everton do next, was only pointing out that clubs apparently do act quickly when they recognise someone isn’t doing the job they were hired for. Meanwhile at Newcastle…
Bobby…I don’t believe I suggested we call him names. I didn’t actually suggest ahy particular action, nor do I plan to. Merely opening a dialogue to discuss our options (of which there are likely a fair few).
Ashley has been looking for a buyer for some time? I’m not aware. In fact, didn’t they come out just over a year to go to say it categorically wasn’t for sale (at any price I believe)?
He’s invested money. So have you and other fans. Yes, it’s his call ultimately, all I’ve suggested is we try and make him factor in people like you when making decisions.
Does he know what we think of him? I don’t. I think he thinks we like a good whinge and then we’ll just go with the flow. Hard to argue with really.
Of course he cares. That myth was blown out of the water following the hiring of Keith Bishop and the PR overdrive that has followed.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 12, 2016 at 1:56 PM
Comment #7David moyes more likely to return to everton (14/1) than raffa going there (16/1). I still think he will leave us, but would like to be wrong
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 12, 2016 at 1:58 PM
Comment #8Makalay
Now why would have to spoil everyones day by bringing pulis into focus!? If we end up with him, i will burn every thing i own that has any relation to nufc!
Malackay
May 12, 2016 at 1:59 PM
Comment #9Remember bookies have about as much of a clue about next managers as we do. That’s why they bet to such a large % on their books and why they will only lay small bets. They use it as a way to bring in new customers and often lose in these types of markets.
Worth considering…..
Mister Tuff
May 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Comment #10Didn’t know that Mr Tubbs was trying to sell the club – where did this come from.
I think you’ll find that the current position was declared 2 years ago when Mr Tubbs said he was not going to sell at any cost and not before the season end in 2016.
Which does not state he is going to sell in summer this year, but that it will not be sold before that.
Last season we had Tubbs saying he was not going anywhere.
So the only thing we do know is that time date now -the club is not up for sale.
SPRINGY
May 12, 2016 at 2:01 PM
Comment #11considering rafas family is still on merseyside,i think he would take the grief he would get for going there to be with his family and most liverpool fans would probably understand his point of view,might not like it, but would understand.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 12, 2016 at 2:02 PM
Comment #12merseyside derbys with raffa in the blue dugout would be interesting affairs…. especially the anfeild ones
Bobbybee
May 12, 2016 at 2:03 PM
Comment #13The real laughing stock is those writing off our entire future next to a sign saying ‘We believe’. Ed, marra, ya change like the weather. Nobody knows what will happen yet, nothing has been decided. The only fact is that we’re in the Championship next season and need to prepare for it. Nothing can be done until Rafa decides where he’s going to be next season and the inquest into the suspicious death of NUFC reaches its conclusions. The evidence points to our illustrious board being guilty of at best, gross negligence.
bettyswallocks
May 12, 2016 at 2:03 PM
Comment #14Rotonda…….. Your views on Martinez, Townsend etc. etc. just go to show that you are a poor judge of football matters .
Ibizatoon
May 12, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Comment #15https://twitter.com/ynfa_thehub/status/716550443329925121
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 12, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Comment #16Bobby
Yeah, but as has been stated often, the people responsible for the death of the club are the ones doing the investigation.
Churners and co will be coming out with “Well, we have worked hard to get to the bottom of it, and have concluded that cosmic radiation permeatating through high levels of asteroid dust, made a bright glow that our players eyes were particularly sensitive to, due to certain types of pollen in the north east area”.
Bobbybee
May 12, 2016 at 2:09 PM
Comment #17He said he wants out many times, but he won’t sell because he can’t get his money back right now,p which is the reason he said we’re stuck with him. Buying the club has been a disaster for both parties and he’s already said he regrets it. Right now, nobody is willing to reach his asking price. Why would he want to stay?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
May 12, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Comment #18Hail for Ash
Ross McCormack I was banging on about him last season and in the transfer window
He would be the first player I would sign.
Kept Fulham in the championship
Seen him up here when we beat LEEDS who as usual were the better team on the day and Ross McCormack ran our defence ragged and thumped the bar with a 25 harder.
Bobbybee
May 12, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Comment #19YCMIU, Ashley will decide on their future, not Charnley and Carr. He already told them they were getting no more money, so I reckon they’re gone myself. But, like everybody else, I have no inside info and that is merely speculation. It appears some on here have crystal balls and direct contact with them, so you might be better off asking those those in the know. 😉
SPRINGY
May 12, 2016 at 2:16 PM
Comment #20i would like to hear what the plan is,yes ana the season is’nt over,but they must of had talks after the weekend,why concentrate on the spurs game when theres a whole season to get sorted from top to bottom….as you might of guessed,patience was never my strong point!.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
May 12, 2016 at 2:20 PM
Comment #21Anyway who the F88K scouts in this country if Carr is always on the continent.
And if he is on the continent how the F88K does he know what we want over here i.e. for over two seasons we have needed a Centre Forward and a Centre Half – managers have told him what he wants and ignores them by bringing in more unweight french midfielders/wingers
Ibizatoon
May 12, 2016 at 2:21 PM
Comment #22Bobby…You said “are you not aware that Ashley is looking for a buyer, and has been for some time?” then followed it up with “He said he wants out many times”.
Wanting out and looking for a buyer are two different things. He’s also said he wants to win things. He also said he’d continue to invest in the club. He’s also said there’s no money left so don’t come crying to him.
Bottom line, if he wants out, he’ll find a way.
I’m not so keen to try and work out Ashleys mind, but what we can do to make him actively look to sell. Not just price it out of the market.
bettyswallocks
May 12, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #23As long as Ashley is still here, the best we are going to get is being allowed to spend the money the club generates. Where he needs to show some ambition is engaging the right people to spend it.
Ashley is never going to take a hands on role but surely he can see now that jobs for the boys isn’t going to work.
He wants to advertise his Shyte and he wants the club to run at a profit but within these peramators we could still have a team that competes.
I can’t accept that given the choice he would prefer the team to lose rather than win. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Hail Wor Ashley
May 12, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #24Charlie
Aye, he has pretty much the best record of any current Champiosnhip ST and is consistently scoring 1 in 2 in poor teams and at 29 is the perfect senior ST to share the burden with Armstrong. Given Fulham were already making losses granting them an embargo, entering the final year of their parachute payments they’re gonna be under even more financial pressure. They bought him for £11m, £10m would get him.
Very good clean striker of the ball which shows in his set-piece ability too. By God do we need a ST that’s a clean technician when it comes to that most foundational of ST requirements, being able to hit the ball and send it where you bloody want.
stuart no9
May 12, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Comment #25Ah . So , psychic AL said Benitez is leaving . It must be true.
By the way AL . Could you give me the numbers to this weeks lottery mate ?
Bobbybee
May 12, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Comment #26Charlie, you ain’t off the mark there, which all points to gross negligence by our board. They’re to blame for the majority of our woes and the wasting of millions of pounds, not to mention relegation and the huge loss of finance, along with free worldwide advertising for the knacka. I’m really struggling to find one single reason as to why he would think they’ve done a good enough job to retain them. NUFC is a business to Ashley and it’s failing badly. We know it and he knows it. The idea that he’ll keep them on because he hates us is just ludicrous. Their jobs are untenable. Not one person on here would retain them. Not because we dislike them immensely, but because they’ve failed hugely in their jobs. He will lose all credibility within the business world if he allows this to continue, which will damage him even more. As much as I dislike his handling of our club, I don’t think a man who has made so much money is an idiot. We’ll see anyway, because right now it’s all speculation.
Tsunki
May 12, 2016 at 2:36 PM
Comment #27Ashley said the club was not for sale at any price. That means he doesn’t want or need to sell. But was that when he was convinced we would start start start pl? He is now deep in consultation, or should be, about the financial ramifications, diminishing returns, of languishing in the second tier. Not just life after umbrella payments but reduced ticket prices, reduced gate receipts because of falling attendance, low input by SD now their worldwide as campaign will be severely curtailed, less catering, merchandising. It points to another chancer/clown/has-been/budget/yes-man Manager, a squad judged and assembled solely by ledger entries, and if this doesn’t keep the books balanced, a carving up of any tangible assets and emptying the bank account to get his loan back (tbh I think the parachute payments will be earmarked for that) and then selling at a modest loss because, over the length of his tenure he has on average made a tidy sum or enabled his beloved SD to do so.
Cue the myth “there are no buyers out there” – biggest load of codswallop going. it’s like saying Alaska doesn’t exist because you haven’t been there and seen it yourself ha ha. There are rich opportunists out there biding their time. Have to accept they may be as bad or worse, but equally may be quite passionate, who knows. But it’s got a good chance of happening.
SPRINGY
May 12, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Comment #28ashley doesnt look like the type of bloke to be known a failure…his business ego is to big for that,but that being said this club must be a big ball ache to him,i would hope he would sell up,but we all know thats not likely to happen unless a mysterious big offer appears from somewhere to allow him to claim back almost all,if not all he has invested…he will never leave taking a big loss..the man is to greedy thats how he is what he is…a billionaire….the way he has run this club cant be making as much money as it could if it were challenging the top half of the premier,but i dont no if he’ll be losing as much we think being relegated….i dont no the finances tbh…but the running of the club has to change….he must see this is not beneficial to him.
Lindisfarne
May 12, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Comment #29Can we have the first 17 minutes of “Sack the Board!” followed by a minutes applause and then the remainder of the match singing “Rafa Benitez!”.
Tsunki
May 12, 2016 at 2:38 PM
Comment #30Bobby – he’s made a lot of money but it doesn’t immunise him from his idiocy. He’s had ten years to prove his SD model applies to a PL club and cam be happily integrated with it. When he started, we had just been a regular CL side. Ten years. TEN.
Ibizatoon
May 12, 2016 at 2:40 PM
Comment #31In business, value isn’t determined by what you paid for something, it’s what people are willing to pay for it.
Also, another piece of general business knowledge, if the customer isn’t happy and kicks up a fuss, the product is changed or the company goes out of business.
Ashley has set this up as a business, so we unfortunately need to look at it the same.
Bobby…You think Ashley has credibility in the business world?
It’s never been a question of him being an idiot, just having differing priorities than the fans.
NUFC may have lost out, but how has MASH holdings done? I would have thought that will be a factor when reviewing how his board have done this season. As you say, we will see.
Tsunki
May 12, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #32Al’s right actually. Rafa risking his reputation on failing to promote a championship side? Daft. Brave but daft.
Bobbybee
May 12, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #33Wanting out and looking for a buyer are two seperate things? Really? Find him a buyer and he’ll snap your hand off. He won’t find one in the Championship, because we ain’t worth what he’s spent, unless somebody has great foresight and sees us as a long term investment. We live in hope. The reality is that we’re stuck with him until that day happens. Nothing we do will persuade him to sell at a loss. He’s a greedy horrible billionaire and our concerns are not his. This is real life.
bettyswallocks
May 12, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #34Freddy Shepherd said this morning on TalkSport that if Ashley wanted to sell he could put a consortium together to buy the club immediately.
With all the money from TV now in the game, the worry would be some group coming in with money borrowed against future income which would give us less money in the kitty than we have now . Unless of course fat Freddy or someone similar ramps up the borrowing . There are lots of clubs in the PL with less money available than us but obviously with more capable people spending it.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
May 12, 2016 at 2:43 PM
Comment #35Bobby bee
I don’t understand the logic in Ashley.
If I were the boss and appointed peoples on a large salary to look after my company ‘Newcastle United’ and given them a wedge of money to spend.
I would of had them in my office and told them Carr and Charmless to clear their desks – NOW!!!!
Leicester have shown us what to do – spent 28 million – Champions
got in a decent manager bought wisely old and young players who have shown with the right attitude and wanting to play for the club what you can achieve.
Newcastle United – spent 80 million plus second bottom by Sunday night – wrong manager – young players who don’t give a stuff as long as they are getting paid at the end of the week.
Ibizatoon
May 12, 2016 at 2:47 PM
Comment #36Bobby…A while back someone said to me that instead of listening to what people say, I should look at what they do.
As I pointed out before, Ashley has said lots of things.
Have you seen anything to show that he wants out or is looking for a buyer, as you claimed?
Yes, they are two different things. Wanting out is the emotion, looking for a buyer the action.
Saying I’m hungry doesn’t fill my belly. On that note, I’m off to make a sandwich.
Tsunki
May 12, 2016 at 2:48 PM
Comment #37Bobby – your view is simplistic. Expediency takes precedent over risk. Ashleys finances will be scrutinised over over long term to see what the overall gains are, I’m sure they are appreciable. it’s under this climate he will adjudged whether to cut the losses that are impending.
Jib
May 12, 2016 at 2:48 PM
Comment #38“Tsunki – Cue the myth “there are no buyers out there” – biggest load of codswallop going. it’s like saying Alaska doesn’t exist because you haven’t been there and seen it yourself ha ha.”
No it’s not
One of your best efforts yet at false dichotomy
😎
Bobbybee
May 12, 2016 at 2:48 PM
Comment #39Ibiza, at last! My point exactly. His priorities are not ours. He couldn’t possibly care less what we think and, sadly, as the owner, he has the final shout. And yes, i do think he has credibility in the business world, as it is full of obnoxious greedy ruthless people – just like him. Let’s just wait and see what the inquest brings before jumping to any conclusions. If you can find one good reason as to why he might retain people who’ve failed and cost him a small fortune, then good on ya – cos i can’t. 😉
Spoof
May 12, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Comment #40Not sure that Rafa would go to Everton, that would be a bit like Keegan or Shearer going to Sunderland, I doubt very much that Rafa would do that, would he take over a team outside the PL, we don’t know but big name managers have done so in the past, KK did, in fact he done it twice with Fulham and again with Man City, so lets just hope.
What is in our favour is that Rafa loves clubs where the fans live and breath football, Liverpool, Milan, Real etc, we aren’t in the same league as those as clubs but as passionate fans we are and that is what he craves and in all honesty there aren’t that many clubs around like us and those others that he has managed, so as daft as it sounds I wouldn’t rule him out as he does seem to follow his heart as much as his head at times !