Newcastle fans are waiting rather anxiously to see if Rafa Benitez will commit long-term to Newcastle United and come in and manage the club in the Championship next season, with a plan to turn the club into a powerhouse in Europe just as quickly as he can.
His impact at Newcastle has already been immense, not just with the fans but with the players too.
We have all seen how a world-class manager goes about the business of sorting out the team – he dropped some of our best players – and what needs to be done to sort out the club – which has languished in the doldrums for far too long.
Rafa Benitez – Newcastle United manager
Remember Rafa has twice been the UEFA Manager of the Year (2003-2004, 2004-2005) and voted the World’s Best Coach (La Gazzetta dello Sport’) in 2009.
The Benton training facilities are simply not good enough and our Youth Academy has failed badly since Mike Ashley bought the club back in 2007.
Those are just two of the areas that Rafa quickly identified as needing to have improvements carried out quickly, if he is to take the job at Newcastle.
It’s really hard to over-estimate what an impact this man can have at the club if he does sign on this week.
What he has already given to Newcastle fans is hope – which we haven’t had a for a long time.
And the pride has taken a hit over the last few years.
The Geordie Pride – and even though we were relegated last season in those last six games – three wins (yes – wins) and three draws – especially the 5-1 humbling of Tottenham on the final day gave Newcastle fans their pride back.
Notice that we got one third of our 9 wins for the season in the final six games under Rafa!!
So make no mistake about it, if Rafa Benitez does sign – it will be simply monumental for the club.
It will give the Newcastle fans fresh hope when we need it the most – and that Geordie Pride will be back in full force – again.
Howay The Lads!
85 comments so far
Jib
May 24, 2016 at 9:39 AM
Comment #1Siem de Jong has been talking to Fox Sport in Holland and reckons the club have hinted to him that he will be loaned or sold.
He would prefer to be sold back to Ajax.
http://www.voetbal4u.com/2016/05/24/siem-de-jong-staat-nog-altijd-open-voor-terugkeer-naar-ajax/
The overrated Frenchman
May 24, 2016 at 9:43 AM
Comment #2I just wish Charnley was gone. It’s hard for me to believe that anything really positive will happen under his watch. He’s one of those rare people who is actually as stupid as he looks…
martoon
May 24, 2016 at 9:45 AM
Comment #3I have to say I’m not worried yet! I should imagine all the contract and legal docs have to be drafted, these will then be sent to Rafa’s legal team for scrutiny. They will probably want some changes and so be sent back to NUFC for adjustment etc. These things take time but I must admit if nothing happens by the end of this week then I will be worried.
Ron Knee
May 24, 2016 at 9:47 AM
Comment #4“England and Newcastle winger Andros Townsend and West Brom midfielder Sandro have been linked with a move to Sporting Lisbon, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.”
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:01 AM
Comment #5Regarding the last article…
ED MAN!!!!! NEGOTIATIONS STARTED AFTER THE LAST GAME. RAFA SAID GIVE ME 2 WEEKS MAX. ITS BEEN 8 DAYS, NOT 13!!!!!!!! AAAHHHHHHHH!
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Comment #6Martoon
Had a laugh at “at least the man u fans didnt have far to go home”! Well played!
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Comment #7I apologise for my rant. I am just sick of the sensationalist scare articles. They are not required.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #8Ron
Just hoping if rafa stays he can persuade townsend to stay. Not sure what he would gain from.a spell in portugal tbh
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:09 AM
Comment #9The man u situation is utterly different. They are the biggest club in England, and managers are queueing up in the hope of getting the job. It will not be even fractionally as hard to get the new guy to agree to a contract.
geordieviking
May 24, 2016 at 10:09 AM
Comment #10Ycmiu:
Must admit my reaction was the same as yours. Thought an ex-IBMer would have better maths ability. ?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Comment #11I see 38yo distan is being released by Bournmouth. Too old?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:14 AM
Comment #12Gviking
Yeah i would hope so.
Mind, he is counting from the thursday after the mackems beat everton, even though rafa clearly wasn’t talking about it until after the spurs game. Ed is in panic mode.
Spoof
May 24, 2016 at 10:15 AM
Comment #13Jib
that does seem likely to happen, however I personally would keep him, the lad has never had a chance yet we know he has the ability but he wasn’t going to get in ahead of Gini and Sissoko, but the chances are both of those will be sold so De Jong could finally get a chance, injuries are an obvious fear so another attacking midfielder would be needed, could Shelvey play further up the pitch, if not then perhaps Will Hughes from Derby, he’s a good player and knows the league.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 24, 2016 at 10:25 AM
Comment #14http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/05/faith-placed-youth-inexperience-get-newcastle-united-championship/
The mag conveniently ignoring the fact that fans would also want exprience brought in.
“How to misrepresent fans via subtle twists and ommision” – by the mag
G
May 24, 2016 at 10:27 AM
Comment #15Will Hughes is a good shout, was touted as the next big thing couple of years back. Doesnt seem to have progressed, but doesnt look any worse either. I would take a punt.
geordie157
May 24, 2016 at 10:28 AM
Comment #16I think we’ll buy a mix of championship players both young and more experienced with a couple of Spanish youngsters coming in.
Then maybe one of Rafa’s old players he trusts ie Agger.
McCormack, Hughes, Dunk come to mind as some likely targets. Although they got relegated Charlton’s Chris Solly is a good young right back.
Would like to see Armstrong and possibly Bigi get chances to impress. Along with Sterry and Mbabu, hard to tell if any of the other youngsters are good enough. Believe Cameron did well at York and Gilliead impressed at Carlisle so maybe they come into contention.
G
May 24, 2016 at 10:38 AM
Comment #17Was watching the kids a few times this season, I think young McKenzie Heanney could get his chance this season, good left foot, thunderb@st@rd of a shot, gets the rest of the team more confidence around him.
manxpie
May 24, 2016 at 10:42 AM
Comment #18Will Hughes had a bad injury and was out for a year i think, only made his come back recently
would love him here masses of experience for a young lad
manxpie
May 24, 2016 at 10:43 AM
Comment #19Saying that he’d probably be highly priced so no chance
manxpie
May 24, 2016 at 10:45 AM
Comment #20Ycmiu was just wondering if you were worried about how long it was taking for rafa to sign i mean it’s been over a week now? 🙂
Ron Knee
May 24, 2016 at 10:55 AM
Comment #21YCMIU
If Benitez stays, perhaps a few of our ‘stars’ will be less inclined to want a move. IF!!!
Ron Knee
May 24, 2016 at 10:57 AM
Comment #22For what it’s worth:
“Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United have been in talks for more than a week-and-a-half now – and they have progressed to an extremely advanced stage.
A comprehensive and complex contract is being drawn up and, though the lack of movement is frustrating, I understand there is no reason to be unduly concerned at this stage.
My understanding is that Newcastle intend to hold a Press conference once the deal is finalised – which they hope will be later on this week.
Benitez did set a two-week timeframe and, as seemingly with anything Newcastle do, the pace of developments have been agonisingly slow.”
– Chris Waugh
Essex Geordie Bill
May 24, 2016 at 11:03 AM
Comment #23Ycmip
I take it from your comment 7 you are a Brexit.
Will Hughes yes!!
Just hope Arma isn’t similar to HBA he was going to be our great weapon when he returned from injury and we all know how that turned out. We should stop hyping him up, give him space!
Just thought I’d make all my comments in one hit.
Slank
May 24, 2016 at 11:04 AM
Comment #24Fans shouldn’t be over worried about the time taken to announce the arrival of Benetez.
It’s not only his situation that has to be agreed but also all his back room staff as well. In addition, there is likely to be some departures of existing staff to attend to. Many, if not all, of Benetez’s team and possibly their families will have to be relocated and housed. If any of his team have children then schools need to be found. If any of his team have working wifes or partners then that complication needs to be sorted out. Benetez’s team came for a specified short term assignment which is completely different to committing for the longer term. Perhaps some of his team don’t fancy the North East.
I would be worried if things were wrapped up very quickly as that tends to suggest that not all the ‘Ts’ have been crossed and all the ‘Is’ dotted.
It seems ironic that many fans were critical of Ashley for not doing due diligence and now equally critical for Charnley (and presumably Ashley) and Benetez for taking their time as if the fans have detailed and intimate knowledge about conducting these types of negotiations.
JP...from The Rock
May 24, 2016 at 11:06 AM
Comment #25Get this Rafa contract sorted ASAP or else we will lose our best players due to this uncertainty, hence Townsend now linked with Sporting Lisbon.
BandB
May 24, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Comment #26The prudent pace of the negotiations perfectly fits the narrative that a detailed, complex and watertight contract is being finalised and will be announced by the end of the week.
But neither do it exclude the possibility that they are being extended until the sting has been drawn out of the relegation and fans have accepted that Charnley will be staying and Carr will be staying, both of which now look quite possible.
Two weeks is a long time at Newcastle United. Memories are short and the fans’ natural tendency to accept their lot will have been carefully weighed up.
martoon
May 24, 2016 at 11:15 AM
Comment #27Slank @24 – I agree with you about ‘crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s’ but surely finding houses for his staff and schools for their kids comes afterwards otherwise we’ll be waiting till Christmas before the deal is done!
Spoof
May 24, 2016 at 11:19 AM
Comment #28Slank
although I’m not concerned about the time it’s taking for Rafa to say that he is staying I still feel that you have got it slightly wrong, as far as I was aware Rafa and his team signed a three year contract with an escape clause in it, having an escape clause doesn’t make it a short term deal it still makes it three years, so most of what you have said isn’t really applicable.
martoon
May 24, 2016 at 11:23 AM
Comment #29I’m not sure if I’m being perverse but now I’ve got over the disappointment of relegation I’m actually quite looking forward to next season assuming Rafa stays. Hopefully we’ll get rid of the deadwood and bring in some new players. We get more matches against different teams and hopefully we’ll win the majority of our games playing some decent football.
Moonraker15
May 24, 2016 at 11:24 AM
Comment #30I would doubt Sporting can afford Townsend’s wages?
JAMSHA
May 24, 2016 at 11:27 AM
Comment #31LOAN LEE
Spoof
May 24, 2016 at 11:30 AM
Comment #32BandB
I agree that Charnley is likely to stay, after all it was him who brought Rafa to us, expecting that Rafa will stay which I feel he will, most of us agree that the Rafa coup if it comes off will be one of the best deals this club of ours has ever pulled off so to get rid of the man very shortly after making that deal would be a bit contradictory would it not, but Carr I feel would be a goner, certainly from the power position that he currently has, it he stays it could only be as a standard scout and nothing more.
BandB
May 24, 2016 at 11:31 AM
Comment #33Martoon
Keith Bishop will be perfectly well aware that relegation has been swallowed with resignation bordering on mild optimism and will be reporting that to his boss.
It does nothing at all to strengthen Rafa’s hand.
If this goes into next week, I would say the chances of him signing would be starting to recede.
I believe both narratives are still in play.
BandB
May 24, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Comment #34There’s no harm in letting them know we won’t accept a lot of crocodile tears and shrugging if Rafa grows frustrated and walks.
carl
May 24, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Comment #35martoon
I saw your comment this morning in support of Ed Harrison. He does do a good job and has since April 2007.
This is from the archives – Everton Well Prepared for Newcastle Game.
12:34 pm, Sunday, October 7th, 2007 by Ed Harrison · 8 Comments
David Moyes says his Everton team are well prepared for the upcoming game with Newcastle today, because following their UEFA cup games on Thursday, they are ready and know they have to get the job done on the following Sundays in the premiership.
Let’s take a look at what David had to say.
As a point of interest this is the 1,000th article written for the Newcastle United Blog since we started back on April 23rd, 2007 – we’d like to thank all our readers for their great support of this web site.
carl
May 24, 2016 at 11:38 AM
Comment #36martoon
When do the Championship fixtures come out?
Slank
May 24, 2016 at 11:39 AM
Comment #37Martoon @ 27
I disagree about sorting the houses and schools out afterwards.
If you are relocating a family the person who has received the offer of employment should only sign once he is satisfied himself that his family are satisfied with the new arrangements. Having been relocated myself to the Far East I know that this is of paramount importance otherwise the family becomes fractured and the new employee becomes unhappy and doesn’t perform to the best of his ability. Nobody wins in these circumstances.
Spoof
May 24, 2016 at 11:42 AM
Comment #38BanaB
I doubt that it strengthens nor weakens Rafa’s hand if their is reason for it to be weakened or strengthened, what may now be optimism as you rightly say will very quickly turn to anger if we don’t get Rafa and have to make do with another yes man instead, we have had enough of this regime but finally it appears as if their could be a silver lining to the verry very dark cloud that we have endured for far too long, if that lining is stripped now the revolt will be huge, that will also be uppermost on their minds as well, don’t fear, we will get Rafa, not even this regime are foolish enough not to make this happen.
If there were problems they would be getting leaked, the way I read is that an agreement must be close, if it wasn’t then Rafa would now be gone, you can’t persuade men like him to be puppets who would accept what this regime has offered managers in the past, the outlook of the club has changed, it must have because if it hadn’t then Rafa would have been long gone by now.
BandB
May 24, 2016 at 11:44 AM
Comment #39Spoof
Talks are said to be at a very advanced stage.
I expect him to sign by the end of the week.
As manager.
Slank
May 24, 2016 at 11:47 AM
Comment #40Spoof
You are right about the original contract which was reported as having ‘get out’ clauses but that contract is now dead and Benetez and his team are now much wiser and knowledgeable about the club and the region.
The original contract was primarily to save the club from relegation. A new contract will possibly have other and different objectives and probably price tags to go with it.