Rafa has given his part two of the exclusive interview with the Chronicle today and he has talked about the reaction on Tyneside and around the world for that matter to him agreeing to stay at Newcastle – even though we were relegated.
The fans packed St. James’ Park on that final day of the season against Spurs – even though we were relegated – and took it as one last chance to persuade Rafa to stay on as manager at Newcastle United.
And it worked and amazingly Rafa is now the manager of the club for at least the next three years.
Two placards begging Rafa Benitez to stay
Rafa has said it was an emotional time for him seeing all the support and love for him from the Geordie fans.
The Chronicle also did their part in grand style with the petition that ended up getting close to 30,000 signatures – unbelievable.
Question:
What have you made of the reaction of fans since you committed to stay following relegation? Did the enormous support for The Chronicle’s petition surprise you?
Rafa Benitez answer:
“I knew about the Geordie fans before I came here, everyone in football knows about their passion and their support.”
“But it was incredible to experience it and to feel the love they have for the club and the welcome and support they gave me and the team.”
“They did not have an easy season but they are always supporting.” “It was very emotional for me.”
“The fans make a very big difference – to me, to the team on the pitch, to the whole city.” “They have been amazing, really amazing.”
“The fans are very special, they are what Newcastle United is about, they make the club what it is.”
“I want to give them joy and excitement and pride in their club, a reason to celebrate and to smile.”
We cannot do any better than that last line from Rafa – that’s exactly and precisely what Newcastle fans want.
Well said Rafa Benitez.
Comments welcome.
174 comments so far
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:12 PM
Comment #81Yo yo, 😉 i genuinely was! Just nobody bothered to read it, they just jumped in and made a fool of themselves. No mention of ‘ailments’, just being polite and explaining why i had to shoot. I was talking to carl and he got it fine. Lesh was only jesting about hospital turnover times, but others had to make an issue of it. I only came back on to say i thought the ceremony was naff! Horses for courses as they say. The can can in France? Who’d have thought it! 😉 Good start to the game though.
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:16 PM
Comment #82What a cracking game. A sign of things to come i hope. Could be one each already.
BandB
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:17 PM
Comment #83bobby bee
I have a young child.
We won’t be nicking Martoon’s seat or going to any games anytime soon.
You are a crass bustard with your backache.
davetoon
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:18 PM
Comment #84Should be 2-1 to France already
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:20 PM
Comment #85How the hell did Carr not spot Kante on one of his many scouting trips to France
clinath@ed
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:24 PM
Comment #86Pogba. Confident or Overconfident?
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:26 PM
Comment #87Bit of both clin mate. The haircut says it all
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:26 PM
Comment #88Why should i care? You keep mentioning my back, not me you loon. I had a hospital appt ffs, i mentioned nothing. Look, just stfu eh? Nobody wants to hear it except you. For the sake of peace i’m out of here, despite enjoying the football craic with everybody else. Maybe you need to talk about your schizophrenia with somebody, do us all a favour. Later chaps.
welshgeordie9
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:36 PM
Comment #89They call me and Jib a wum, but haven’t got the balls or the tits to say anything to BandB.
Unbelievable.
On a another note though, good match so far in the opening game.
welshgeordie9
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:37 PM
Comment #90Oldgit
Happy to bring back the jokes if it makes you happy.
Ha ha ha
welshgeordie9
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:38 PM
Comment #91Another chance for France, how the hell is this still 0-0.
clinath@ed
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:40 PM
Comment #92Refs not giving much. Wonder if it’ll continue for a month…..na!
clinath@ed
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:50 PM
Comment #93That was quite entertaining for an opening.
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:53 PM
Comment #94Sod that, i want to talk football. 😉 Every opening game of any tournament I can remember, has been very cautious and generally dull. Am i remembering that right? This is everything but. Absolutely cracking game. Three more games tomorrow. I can live with this! 😉 Can Rafa not swap Sissoko with Pogba? Sissoko rates himself that highly after all. 😉
Oldgit1
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:55 PM
Comment #95Welshgeordie9 it was good times, your jokes lightened the mood of the blog.
I have noticed a trend on this site, if you tell better jokes and show more football knowledge you will get attacked by inferior bloggers. Hence I tend to stay off lol
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:56 PM
Comment #96Kante has been class in the 1st half
clinath@ed
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:56 PM
Comment #97In fairness Sissoko would stand out in that French side…….but for all the wrong reasons. Some great passes and movement, do you think football has lost the art of defending though?
clinath@ed
Jun 10, 2016 at 8:57 PM
Comment #98Shirebrook….agree.
welshgeordie9
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:01 PM
Comment #99Oldgit
You don’t have to stay away, you have a right to say whatever you want, don’t let anyone bully you, me and some of the others get it all time, personally i couldn’t give a rats arse if they don’t like my opinion, we can all say want we like football wise.
Oldgit1
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:01 PM
Comment #100@ Back door man. We use to have a man that delivered parcels and always came round to the back door. We lived on the twelve floor of a high storey block of flats
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:02 PM
Comment #101Pogba and Sissoko are miles apart in terms of ability
welshgeordie9
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:03 PM
Comment #102If sissoko wants a big move away, then he better get off his arse and play well, that’s if he gets picked of course.
jane
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:04 PM
Comment #103not been a lot of chances. France haven’t dominated.
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:04 PM
Comment #104If this is a taste of things to come, we’re in for a belting few weeks. 😉 I love the start of these tournaments, with more than one game a day on tv. Seriously, this is heaven. I can never have enough football and what better way of spending time before the start of what is building up to be a cracking season. U19’s after this as well. Second half.
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:07 PM
Comment #105Pogba is trying to hard!
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:07 PM
Comment #106Shirebrook, the. 😉 says it all matey. Just my little dig at Sissoko. Oooh! So close again! 😉
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:09 PM
Comment #107Should be an entertaining tournament all the bigger teams are good going forward but no one has a good defence
Must say tonight Kante tonight has looked superb still cant believe Carr was not all over getting him last season instead of spunking 14 million on Thauvin!!
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:10 PM
Comment #108Romania looking lively another great chance for them
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:12 PM
Comment #109LCBP I said the same thing earlier about Kante. How on earth did carr manage to miss a player as good as him
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:14 PM
Comment #110Lee, heartbreaking innit? Still, spilt milk and all that. That way lies torture and anger. 😉
Jib
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:15 PM
Comment #111Shit
I must have pressd the Jane button by mistake !
jane
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:15 PM
Comment #112yep still works
ShirebrookToon
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:17 PM
Comment #113Finally!!
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:17 PM
Comment #114Not your average opener is it. That’s been coming. Who’s booing now?
welshgeordie9
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:17 PM
Comment #1151-0 France
Finally a goal.
Jib
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:18 PM
Comment #116Jammy Giroud
clinath@ed
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:18 PM
Comment #117Technically a foul imo….but the keeper was a whimp
welshgeordie9
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:19 PM
Comment #118Bobby
Not a bad opener mate, at least there’s been a goal now.
Bobbybee
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:20 PM
Comment #119Clin, keeper should have took the lot – ball, giroud and anyone else close! Instead he took none! 😉
clinath@ed
Jun 10, 2016 at 9:21 PM
Comment #120Yep, like I said….a whimp 😉