At Rafa’s press conference today for the Tottenham game tomorrow, the 56 year-old was asked about the situation in him possibly staying on at Newcastle.
He said that negotiations were ongoing with Newcastle but that he may not make any decision for two weeks.
That could well mean that he is allowing enough time for other offers to come in from bigger and better clubs than Newcastle – and Jamie Carragher is reporting today that he thinks Rafa is keen on the vacant Everton manager position.
We hope that’s not the reason for the delay in a decision on the Newcastle job.
Rafa Benitez at his press conference today
Obviously Newcastle can’t wait too long for Rafa to decide, but the possibility of Steve Bruce being our top choice after Rafa is very disturbing – at least it is to us.
But on the other hand, Rafa seemed positive in other comments he has just made and seems to be in lockstep with what Newcastle fans want – a team that can come straight back up into the Premier League next season.
Here’s some of the other comments Rafa has made today in his press conference:
“Obviously I am disappointed to be relegated because we cannot achieve what we wanted to achieve.”
“We have another game to play and have to be as professional as we can and do things the right way.”
“We have trained well the last two or three days, in the circumstance. We have to be fair in the team selection.”
“I have a good relationship with Lee.” “We have been analyzing things.” “We will have more meetings.”
“The things that have been said have been positive .” “If I’m here and discussing it, it’s because there is a chance, we have to keep talking.”
“It could take a couple of weeks maximum.”
“I was looking for words for the support from fans. Flattered is the best word. Really impressed and happy with them.”
“I want the same as the fans – a successful team, a strong team and to get promoted to the Premier League as soon as possible.”
I cannot imagine waiting a full two weeks before a decision on Rafa’s future is made – although that’s the maximum time Rafa thinks it will take.
We have very little confidence in Lee Charnley not screwing things up – like he did this season and got the club relegated.
But it is also true he seems to get on well with Rafa – so that may be a saving grace – maybe.
Wonder if the Newcastle hierarchy know how vitally important it is to keep Rafa at the club?
Probably not.
35 comments so far
hibbitt
May 14, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Comment #1my song for Rafa
The Birds – no good without you
httmps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCd5hamfrpM
ToonMatt
May 14, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Comment #2At least he’s considering it? I just hope that cretin Charnley doesn’t go on holiday after the season is finished tomorrow, I could see it happening.
Jib
May 14, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Comment #3Understandable
He’s in demand.
Act in haste – repent at leisure
Essex Geordie Bill
May 14, 2016 at 1:06 PM
Comment #4Two weeks to think about it, doesn’t fill me with confidence he’s going to stay.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 14, 2016 at 1:11 PM
Comment #5How about ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQmRgFzg0jI
Don’t know if it has already been suggested
Essex Geordie Bill
May 14, 2016 at 1:12 PM
Comment #6Don’t think that link will work but its easy enough to find.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 1:15 PM
Comment #7just watched the rafa press conference,seemed positive tbh,was leaning on the side of the fans to apply a bit pressure to get what he wanted,very clever.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 14, 2016 at 1:15 PM
Comment #8I tipped SW as the team to win the play-offs, they’re off to a good start but you have to feel sorry for CH he must have broken a mirror, walked under a ladder and ran over a black cat on match day Friday 13th.
hibbitt
May 14, 2016 at 1:19 PM
Comment #9Munster Mag
May 14, 2016 at 1:22 PM
Comment #10Springy, can u tell us more re the press conference? what was he saying to pressurise ash and co?
expatmag
May 14, 2016 at 1:30 PM
Comment #11Buying his time to see what other offers come in.
If nothing comes his way in 2 weeks time, he will more than likely stay.
I heard from a good source in Scotland, Wa4burton from Rangers is nailed on if Rafa leaves
WWSBRD
May 14, 2016 at 1:33 PM
Comment #12My optimism over Rafa staying hit a wall reading that, I don’t see it happening now
On another note I bet there’s a lot of Sunderland fans ashamed of how some of theirs are acting planes over St James and dressing up as Rafa for their last game…embarrassing man.
Munster Mag
May 14, 2016 at 1:43 PM
Comment #13Needs 2 weeks. Now that doesnt sound good. I wud be disappointed but rafa may have peaked as a manager ( as managers do) so lets not start wailing if he doesnt want to play ball. As for bruce, deffo a man to give u a good chance of promotion if not much else. Only rafa will have the cachet to change how the club operates though, or a manager of his ilk.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 1:47 PM
Comment #14munster
he was positive…saying he wants what fans want,a strong side,a promotion winning side,when asked if he asked what he wanted to stay kept saying the same as the fans,without saying it,to me, he implied ambition and progression…the first meeting went well from his point of view and he seems willing to stop if things are right as he says, for him, the fans and the club….if the club dont give him that,you have to fear what they actually want….it was a lot more positive in my eyes then the short passage ed wrote above,…i watched it after reading the above fearing the worst but afterwards was quite positive tbh…..not saying its a cert but more positive then negative.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 1:48 PM
Comment #15munster
he said possibly up to two weeks,depending how the meetings go.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 1:50 PM
Comment #16he made the effort to align himself with the fans…with what the fans want.
Thump
May 14, 2016 at 1:53 PM
Comment #17More positive than before from Rafa, but I’m still not going to get my hopes up.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 1:55 PM
Comment #18thump
nar you can never get ya hopes up with these halfwits in charge…did you see it on sky?
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 1:58 PM
Comment #19was watching an oz fan on you tube having rant at our relegation and he mentioned that he would’nt miss many games next year due to bein sports and fox getting the contract to show championship games, from next season…so there maybe hope those who can only see the match via tv or other sources….anyone heard anything?
expatmag
May 14, 2016 at 2:04 PM
Comment #20Springy
I am in Melbourne and our main pay TV operative is Foxtel who jyst list the rights to the EPL.
We do get BEIN sports and they do tekevuse championship games each week.
I am watching Derby v Hull at the moment.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Comment #21expat
cheers mate,hopefully there will be a good few available streams then…this lad said the have just won the contract for next season…so unless this is something new on top of what you already get….im not sure.
stuart no9
May 14, 2016 at 2:09 PM
Comment #22Tomorrow is going to go a long way in keeping hold of Rafa . Sing your hearts out lads
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 2:10 PM
Comment #23expat
piss poor second half up to now like…did’nt see the first half.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 2:13 PM
Comment #24stuart no9
from rafas reaction at the press conference when asked about the fans admiration towards him….he did look a little chuffed at the fans response to him, so it wont hurt at all.
martoon
May 14, 2016 at 2:17 PM
Comment #25Actually I’m quite encouraged from what Rafa said. I honestly thought the club would do nothing and just let him drift away. I can see that if Rafa is negotiating his position it would take a couple of weeks with proposals & counter proposals etc. to be thrashed out.
Charlietoon
May 14, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Comment #26The meeting needs to go “What do you want” and then “here it is”.
Belfast
May 14, 2016 at 2:27 PM
Comment #27Expat Mark Warburton definitely won’t be joining us. If he was to leave Rangers this summer (nee chance) he will get a far better job than us.
Ron Knee
May 14, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #28From the BBC website: Benitez could stay:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36293518
Belfast
May 14, 2016 at 2:30 PM
Comment #29Is yer sauce in Scotland a Celtic fan by any chance? 🙂
expatmag
May 14, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Comment #30Belfast
No mate…..not Celtic
expatmag
May 14, 2016 at 2:35 PM
Comment #31Springy
BEIN sports have been televising the championship here for a few years now
Hail Wor Ashley
May 14, 2016 at 2:37 PM
Comment #32Translation:
“A couple of weeks will give all the other teams a chance to make their decisions on firing their managers, if I can negotiate a better proposition elsewhere in that time, adios.”.
Hull pretty much just secured a spot in the play-off final.
SPRINGY
May 14, 2016 at 2:38 PM
Comment #33expat
ah right,was just going what he said, so i might of picked it up wrong.
Novocastrian66
May 14, 2016 at 2:44 PM
Comment #34He’s hardly going to announce he’s leaving before the last match as that would turn the atmosphere toxic. Personally I think he will be off, hope I’m wrong.
Novocastrian66
May 14, 2016 at 2:53 PM
Comment #35Belfast; Rubbish mate. Warburton would walk on hot coals from Glasgow to manage Newcastle. By the way he isn’t good enough for us.