We had wondered if all of Rafa Benitez’ assistants would be able to stay at Newcastle in the Championship – and there’s news today being reported by Sky Italia that his top Italian assistant Fabio Pecchia will leave Newcastle to take charge of Hellas Verona in Serie B next season.
When Rafa first arrived at Newcastle in March, when he was introducing his coaching team, he said that Fabio was a future manager and that he would eventually manage a club – and that seems to have happened.
Fabio Pecchia with Rafa Benitez at Newcastle
Fabio has been Rafa’s main assistant since 2013 when he joined him at Napoli and they went to Real Madrid together last summer.
Fabio will manage Verona, who were bottom of Serie A last season and will start next season in Serie B.
The 42 year-old had a long playing career as a midfielder playing for Napoli over 125 times.
He also played at Juventus and another 10 clubs in a career that spanned 18 years from 1991, when he made almost 500 first team appearances.
He played for Italy in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
It will be interesting to see who Rafa will draft in now as his new assistant and while it may be good to have somebody with Championship experience, Rafa will also be looking at the long term future at Newcastle.
Benitez may even try to draft in somebody who has been associated with Newcastle United in the past.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
151 comments so far
cyprus
May 31, 2016 at 11:20 AM
Comment #41Very Terry,
The internet persona, the virtual ‘me’, was much more different when this blog was created, to our real life persona. Hence the pseudonyms. To explain:
Today, in many dominant social media, and blogs aren’t that, people hold their real names. This has meant a generally more careful approach.
What am I saying? If people’s identities were known, they’d probably be more politically and socially ‘correct’.
Personally, I don’t mind the ‘old’ approach too much. There are certain benefits.
Mister Tuff
May 31, 2016 at 11:32 AM
Comment #42Carl – another selective poke about me posting about Adam Johnson.—– endlessly.
I think you’ll find others posted more about him than me and I was responding to their posts. Do not see you having a go at them – surprise surprise.
Do not see you having a pop at those using vile comments – perhaps you were out shopping that day or crossed the road to the other side or had a fly in your eye.
Same fall back position – not because of what the debate is but who your blog mates are and who your perceived blog enemies are. The height of double standards and hypocrisy.
You have the same message, the same phraselogy, the same “mates, the same enemies, the same writing style as someone else. I wonder who.
Give it a rest and stop your blog scheming.
Jail for Ashley
May 31, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Comment #43cjtoon,
I disagree, that same defence has leaked 60 goals a season for the last three years bar a different RB here and CB there, it needs a change of scenery and mentality. Adding Lascelles is not enough, we need an experienced leader at the back.
magscar
May 31, 2016 at 11:36 AM
Comment #44On the issue of Taylor and Colo ( and in fact all of the other potential leavers being touted around) I am prepared to put my faith in Rafa’s assessment of their current worth to the club and his judgement as to whether or not he can do better to bring in alternatives or to give a transfer fund boost. He also seems to have last say so even if someone agitates for a move or club want to cash in it will be his call. The “big hitters ” are on longer contracts so don’t hold all the cards and Ialso imagine Rafa can be persuasive.
This may seem obvious but I don’t recall how long it is since I have had such faith in a manager to make the right calls and been relaxed about the window opening.
Another good thing is he hasn’t just come in but has seen the players under fire as well as in training and will have a good idea who is up for the challenge.
Rotonda heights
May 31, 2016 at 11:37 AM
Comment #45i always thought carl was one of ian’s multiples – no?
Mister Tuff
May 31, 2016 at 11:47 AM
Comment #46Yes.
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 11:48 AM
Comment #47Pecchia Out! ….oh….right.
I’m trying to figure out the correlation of the article to the sobbing grinery of Carl. Listen to old Blackley, he’s got it right – just grow one if you can, and talk about the football related stuff you’ve been sorely missing but still managed to forget to actually introduce.
Unless the monster under your bed is a typed A4 page of personal insults, I would not worry too much about the damaging blows inflicted by fonts. I think you’ll find the Goons/Stooges/usual suspects etc are no more than an imaginary collection of random posters who simply speak up when someone pops up to finger point and ridicule someone’s facts, randomly insult, or wind people up with their bothersome complaints about the hurt they’ve received at the hands of someone who disagreed with them.
And the multiples have been proved to exist, and will only be a dead matter when they stop doing it. Carl. If you don’t stop whimpering we’ll set BandB on you.
On topic then – I don’t think there’s any reason to panic, I think Rafa would have been informed about this well beforehand, especially when contract signing became imminent. He’s got a while to assemble his coaching team yet. There’s no ridiculous tour of the Indian subcontinent or the Marshall Islands so I think the pressure is off and work in pre season will probably be more productive and informative than it has been for many years, under the previous Stooges oops sorry managers.
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 11:52 AM
Comment #48Well the “venom” is more of a general cheesing off that our bubble-capped skipper has inflicted on the watching fan base. it’s not his playing – for me he’s a very effective CB, probably on his day still the best and most level headed at the club. But his convenient injury record and constant noises to play somewhere that doesn’t seem as keen these days to have him – those irk somewhat.
carl
May 31, 2016 at 11:53 AM
Comment #49Tsunki
It’s carl and I first posted in 2007. You’re better than at 47.
Hail Wor Ashley
May 31, 2016 at 11:56 AM
Comment #50Curly-haired coward – OOT!
Jail for Ashley
May 31, 2016 at 11:56 AM
Comment #51Looks like I was being generous when I said sixty goals a season for three years, it’s actually sixty five a season for four years.
Cyprus,
I don’t think Collos is being victimised or scapegoated, a handful of posters imo unfairly targeted Willo and Simpson for their ability which was down to the policy of retaining a threadbare squad. I think people have finally tired of our camera shy captain, his open letters, deliberate sending off and general couldn’t give a toss attitude not to mention being the main constant of a -65 a season defence. Even the lads at NUFC.com have had a go at him.
Mister Tuff
May 31, 2016 at 11:59 AM
Comment #52See the London Evening Standard are claiming that Townsend will get the chop by Hodgson.
Bit premature -lets wait and see – think he stands a decent chance.
I would take young Rashford and bin Wilshire and Sterling.
cjtoon
May 31, 2016 at 12:03 PM
Comment #53Jail – fact is thats the whole point its not the same defence we have had for three years.
Dummett defensively is good at LB not great at overlapping with conviction or crossing but he does hold his own defensively. Still think he should be a CB and as one of the 4 CB’s most clubs have he could be a great squad player for us. Haidara Provides good cover but needs to stay injury free – its hard to judge him on his bit part stint so far.
Lascelles & Mbemba – both quick and strong both good in the air – its been a long time since we could say that about a defensive pairing – thinking of past centre backs makes me shudder. They are both far from the finished article but if they both plan to stay I think we should build for the future with those two – of course thats just my opinion but I think its a good one :-p Obviously if Colo & Taylor go it makes sense to replace them with the best players we can get but I’d be disappointed to not start next season with Mbemba/Lascelles Partnership
Janmaat is great offensively but not so great defensively – I think he will be out the door this window but if he stays he can still be a great asset – just needs to be covered when he bombs forward. He was our most dangerous outlet for the first half of the season – which is both impressive and embarrassing in equal measure. I wouldn’t be adverse to replacing him with a younger better all rounder.
Like I said yes we have a bad defensive record but it works a few ways – we spent large parts of last season soaking up pressure and trying to hit teams on the counter – poor pressing of the ball, particularly collectively puts a great deal of pressure on our defense. We haven’t had a consistent back four for ages too which doesnt help – I would expect us to see more of the ball next season and the two CB’s have had time to build a partnership – i think they would be great 🙂
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 12:04 PM
Comment #54WANTED:
Stooges and Assistant Cronies.
We urgently require Top Level Stooges to manage the continual and unjustified harassment of innocent, inoffensive single posters, preferably with a Random Attack Certificate to HND/ Degree level. The successful candidate will display unpleasant exception to football related posts, and can work seamlessly with a Team of accomplished and highly motivated Gang of Keyboard Bullies, and administer the day to day running and rallying of Assistant Cronies in their Gang.
Assistant Cronies are also required as part of a Gang, and must be available under a Zero Hours arrangement to step in and assist with bullying without needing any reason to do so.
An application form can be supplied by tentatively logging on and approaching us at:
The Usual Suspects
Stooge House
Edsblog.
(WUMS, Multiple applicants and withering bleaters need not apply)
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 12:06 PM
Comment #55That better, carl?
😀
carl
May 31, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Comment #56Tsunki
Good and you do realise you’ll be swamped with applications.
Mister Tuff
May 31, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Comment #57I fink he’ll be fwightened by those fewocious fonts and go wunning off to mama..
He needs to be a bwave soldier and not keep going booohooo booohooo. – like a young tart.
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 12:18 PM
Comment #58Hang on. Hang on…. I think an application may be flooding in….
Very Terry
May 31, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Comment #59So on a similar theme to Colo, why all the venom towards Daryl Janmaat? He seems , IMHO, to genuinely try his best for the shirt and I think I remember him being generally recognized as sometimes the only Newcastle player on the pitch giving his all quite regularly over the last few difficult seasons.I know he’s often been out of position to defend but at times, before Townsend and Shelvey came he was the only one putting crosses into the box. He gets so much flak now, am I missing something?
I’m not looking for an argument here 🙂 just genuinely interested in people’s take on this…
Peace.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 31, 2016 at 12:25 PM
Comment #60Did I just see someone moan because someone else used and upper case letter instead of a lower case letter when addressing them. Really??? carl….Grow up! That is beyond petty, especially when complaining about other petty arguments from the past!! The only one who seems to want to keep it going is you!
On topic
Rafa will already have someone lined up, imo. He tends to be pro-active rather than re-active.
carl
May 31, 2016 at 12:28 PM
Comment #61@60- you’re confused.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 31, 2016 at 12:30 PM
Comment #62No i’m not. Since you came back, all you do is b1tch.
Ibizatoon
May 31, 2016 at 12:31 PM
Comment #63Very Terry…For me, Janmaat becomes an issue when the chips are down and you need a fighter.
He was one of our better players earlier in the season, albeit not in defense, but at least he showed some effort. When things went against us, he just seemed to disappear.
I think it’s a question of character for fans. Same with Colo. They seem to lack it when it’s needed most.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 31, 2016 at 12:35 PM
Comment #64Try talking about football? You keep moaning that others don’t, yet completely ignore the topic yourself. No one is going to appologise for the past, because no one will accept total blame, and rightly so. No one cares that you stopped posting, or why. No one cares why you think others stopped posting. What was the point in coming back of you can’t move on?
carl
May 31, 2016 at 12:37 PM
Comment #65You’re confusing me with C( capital) arl.
carl
May 31, 2016 at 12:41 PM
Comment #66Ibitzatoon
We were having a discussion. You were always the peacemaker.
You
I chatted about football last night with Bobby and others.
manxpie
May 31, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Comment #67The problem isn’t collo it’s the fact he’s been babysitting LB’s for years hiadara and Santon are shite defenders constantly out of position
he’s played his best when he had Enrique next to him and this season dummet
so really it’s the fact that we haven’t invested properly in defence for years for the shocking goals conceded
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 31, 2016 at 12:47 PM
Comment #68carl
You clearly whined when tsunki called you ‘Carl’ instead of ‘carl’. There is no ‘Carl’ on here. But fine, carry on being the historic victim, i have no further interest.
Ibizatoon
May 31, 2016 at 12:49 PM
Comment #69manx…Isn’t that also an issue of tactics? Lots of FB’s get forward these days, which means they will likely be out of position on the counter attack.
Surely it’s the CB’s job therefore to provide cover, along with the CDM?
Ability aside, I think most peoples issue with Colo is his attitude. He’s supposed to be the captain, but shows very little leadership. In a season we’ve been relegated, his leadership will rightly be questioned.
Not disputing the point that we haven’t invested properly in defense though.
Ibizatoon
May 31, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Comment #70YCMIU…There is a Capital Carl, but I haven’t seen him today.
Jail for Ashley
May 31, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Comment #71carl // Feb 7, 2016 at 1:51 PM
Tuff
I do not know Ian Toon at all and have not to my knowledge ever met him. I do see him as a good though infrequent contributor to the blog.
—————————–
carl // Mar 25, 2013 at 12:14 PM
I do not know Pushy. I went to the same uni as IT and I got him part time work whilst he was studying. We have not met up for around 18 months although we correspond from time to time as were in the same line of business. You can take whatever line you wish but for me IT remains inviolate.
Can’t see any capital C’s
Jail for Ashley
May 31, 2016 at 12:58 PM
Comment #72cj toon,
Collocini and when fit Taylor have been the constants in that defence and it appears to be the same as who ever has played it has one thing in common it leaks goals like a sieve we need a leader at the back and we might have got away with it. We need a quality LB and CB brought in and Collo banished.
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 12:58 PM
Comment #73OK now just let me rest for a bit… I’ll catch up….so let’s get this right…Capital Carl is not the same as Top Hole lower case carl? Ah. I think I’m beginning to see where the confusion lies. I can understand why having a random capital letter put into your name could be bewildering. My bad. If anyone posts my names as tsunki instead of Tsunki, beware! I may miss your question! And get offended by your font choice.
manxpie
May 31, 2016 at 12:58 PM
Comment #74Aye maybe a few times here and there but constantly? Not for me
he’s a good defender imo and certainly not at fault for everything as people suggest
yeah his attitude isn’t great and he shouldn’t be captain but he looks good when there is an actual defender next to him
I’d rather a defence that defends well than having a full back that looks good but creates nothing i.e Santon, hiadara, even janmaat all of them did very little offensively and were shocking at their primary jobs
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 1:00 PM
Comment #75Previously…. on When Fonts Attack! Danger lurks on one mans keyboard when the innocent phone tapper inadvertently allows his autocorrect to capitalise at random – with devastating results!!!
Tsunki
May 31, 2016 at 1:01 PM
Comment #76Ian you are hard work. I’ve told you that before though haven’t I?
Cue “who is Ian?” 🙂
Ibizatoon
May 31, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Comment #77manx….I don’t think there are too many who really blame him for everything. I can only really think of one poster who takes it that far.
I agree, he CAN be a good defender. Although I do think his ability is declining (he is getting on a bit) and I do question his leadership or whether he’d be happy to not be captain if he remained.
Jail for Ashley
May 31, 2016 at 1:09 PM
Comment #78What a shame, the whole multiple shite dies down and hasn’t been mentioned for months now. Then carl and Jack Root appear to tell us that the usual suspects stop them from posting. Is it a deliberate attempt to stir things up or what?
carl
May 31, 2016 at 1:10 PM
Comment #79Jails for A
I have been posting since 2007. It doesn’t involve me. You should take it up with Ed we’ve had problems with lower case/ Capital. Beattie raised the name a few years ago but he couldn’t use it I believe and there was a Carly / carly query.
Speak to Ed.
carl
May 31, 2016 at 1:12 PM
Comment #80Jail
Stop manipulating.