While baseball great Yogi Berra was absolutely right when he said “it’s never over till it’s over” it is very much looking like Rafa Benitez is ready to commit to Newcastle United long term, even though we will be a second division club next season.
The word broke last night that Rafa was very close to a deal with Newcastle after he had held a two hour meeting with Mike Ashley on Sunday night at St. James’ Park and was given the control he wanted by Mike Ashley.
Rafa Benitez – manager of Newcastle United
It seems the Newcastle owner is keen to get things tied up as quickly as possible and he even wanted to come in last week to talk to Rafa but the 56 year-old said it wasn’t the right time as he was preparing the side for the Spurs game.
I watched a repeat of that game last night and it was simply amazing at just how good Newcastle were and we basically shamed Tottenham – the drive and commitment from our players was unbelievable but you have to wonder where that was during the time when Steve McClaren was here.
George Caulkin, the north-east sports correspondent of The Times – one of the very best – was one of the lead journalists breaking the story which could be the best news for Newcastle fans for many years.
Rafa Benitez nearing agreement to stay at #Nufc. After breakthrough talks with Ashley, today’s meeting with Charnley was positive.
— George Caulkin (@CaulkinTheTimes) May 16, 2016
Potential budget will be discussed tomorrow, but Benitez already looking at possible signings. Nothing finalised, but mood v optimistic.
— George Caulkin (@CaulkinTheTimes) May 16, 2016
Carr expected to leave #Nufc as part of restructuring. Other offers for Benitez always possible, but things have moved quickly & well.
— George Caulkin (@CaulkinTheTimes) May 16, 2016
The latest news today is that Rafa was with his family in the Wirral yesterday afternoon talking over the deal with his wife and two daughters, but his wife is very happy for him to take the Newcastle job and be surrounded by people who simply seem to love the man.
Rafa has essentially been given full control of all football matters at Newcastle and it looks like Lee Charnley will remain at the club and will work closely with Rafa.
One job for Lee is to get the players Rafa will identify as targets this summer – something Lee is very good at – he is a good negotiator.
It’s obvious the two men have a good relationship and the news is they will be working on new signings and various other things today – including the budget for next season, which is a key area.
Graham Carr is stepping down but Rafa did not force the move – but at 71 Graham has decided it would be a good time to finally retire.
Mike Ashley told Rafa on Sunday night he was very willing to tear up how the club has been run if Rafa would join Newcastle – and the owner was apparently only too willing to give Rafa control of everything he asked for.
Maybe Mike’s done something really good for Newcastle United after what has been nine painful years in charge for Newcastle fans.
The fans are ecstatic that this deal may be announced as completed within a matter of days.
For once it seems the owner has the same feelings as the fans and may even be a full paid up member of the Rafa Benitez fan club.
🙂
This will be a monumental appointment for the famous Newcastle United Football Club.
Howay the Lads!!
Comments welcome.
17 comments so far
Ron Knee
May 17, 2016 at 7:41 AM
Comment #1Repost
Is relegation a blessing in disguise? If we’d finished 17th would the club have been so keen to give Benitez control?
Let’s hope the deal is tied up soon!
martoon
May 17, 2016 at 7:49 AM
Comment #2I have to say for once Ashley seems to have put the club first instead of his failed blueprint. However you have to ask why didn’t he do this years ago i.e. get a very experience world class manager to run the club for him instead of buffoons like JFK?
Average_Contents
May 17, 2016 at 7:51 AM
Comment #3Neither of those, rafa signing up or Carr stepping down are confirmed yet ed.
Wouldn’t Carr simply revert back to being a scout unless of course his ego won’t allow it.
If the power is taken away from him and penfold then that can only be a good thing no.
Who gets to keep their job as MD of a multi million pound business if it fails. Very few I’d imagine so penfold should of been one of the first out of the door imo.
expatmag
May 17, 2016 at 7:53 AM
Comment #4AC
Why would that be?
Ron Knee
May 17, 2016 at 7:53 AM
Comment #5A_C
Charmless is prepared to work for (relative) peanuts. That’s the Ashley way!
Average_Contents
May 17, 2016 at 7:56 AM
Comment #6Martoon
Probably because we just existed to survive in the prem whilst his tat got beamed around the world. Football was secondary to him showing anyone he could make a profit.
Ego.
Average_Contents
May 17, 2016 at 7:58 AM
Comment #7I’d laugh my c0ck off if penfold secured the signature of rafa then got the boot.
Never happen in a million years as he’s the perfect underling for fatty but he should.
The Ghost of St.James
May 17, 2016 at 7:58 AM
Comment #8To answer Martoon, Ashley didn’t do this year’s ago as he quite frankly does not have a clue how to run a successful football club.
Average_Contents
May 17, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Comment #9Expat
Why would what be?
Ron Knee
May 17, 2016 at 8:02 AM
Comment #10Hitler finds out Newcastle are relegated:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2E4MhSv7fk
giimps
May 17, 2016 at 8:07 AM
Comment #11Cashley would not have done this 9 year ago for 2 reasons I can think of…..
He had to be shown that his way of penny pinching and not building a team, selling the best players without effectively replacing them and not giving the manager control of recruitment as well as hiring from his friends list for important positions……2 relegation so has done this I think .
His model of self sufficiency without selling the advertising in the ground relied on player sales ,no bonuses, and buy cheap sell high……a retailers model ,now that the money in the premier league is so high, every team will make a profit, it’s the equivalent of every team in the league getting the finances from winning the champions league every season…….gone are the days when only the mega rich clubs will be able to afford a squad full of international quality players
mindshaft
May 17, 2016 at 8:09 AM
Comment #12I expect Ashley is in shock and therefore agreed to anything Rafa asked for.
It must have knocked him for six to actually turn up to a home game where we have been relegated and not one fan berating him.
On top of that there was a weird carnival atmosphere and we hammered a team vying for 2nd spot …
No wonder Ashley thinks he’s actually dreaming all this …. shhhh don’t wake him up till it’s all signed
expatmag
May 17, 2016 at 8:10 AM
Comment #13AC
Why would you wanr the MD sacked?
Lindisfarne
May 17, 2016 at 8:13 AM
Comment #14RAFA-LUTION
https://youtu.be/BGLGzRXY5Bw
Tell me that its evolution
Whats it gonna be….
ALRIGHT!!!
goalseeker
May 17, 2016 at 8:59 AM
Comment #15I am holding my breath and hope beyond all hope that Rafa decides his CV will be better for taking a club in disarray rebuilding it from the bottom up and taking it back to where it really belongs in the upper tier of the PL instead of taking over management of a team full of overpaid and overpriced players and trying to improve them. He has shown that as a coach he can bring out the best in players. Just to kill off the kill-joys who said Sunday was a fluke just remember Spurs had something to play for 2nd and above their arch rivals Arsenal. I would have loved to see us play throughout the season with flair and a positive attitude – it wasn’t to be and really we are where we are because we deserve to be there. Now that is behind us it has happened let’s unite to get back into the PL it will be harder than last time but we can do it if we want to do it.
lesh
May 17, 2016 at 9:06 AM
Comment #16I too rewatched MoTD and replayed the move that lead to Mitro’s goal – what a cracker!
The lads played very very well – why couldn’t they show that spirit against Villa!
emperor
May 17, 2016 at 10:27 AM
Comment #17How on earth do you know his wife is very happy for him to take the job? lol