Sky Sports Spanish journalist Guillem Balague wrote a book about Benitez’s time at Liverpool called A Season on the Brink: Rafael Benitez, Liverpool and the Path to European Glory.
Like most Spanish journalists, Guillem is following Rafa Benitez’ Newcastle “project” and is fascinated to see how the renowned Spanish manager can do with a sleeping giant of a club called Newcastle United.
Guillem Balague – extraordinary Rafa is at Newcastle United
For the first time in his career Rafa has been given total control of all football matters at a club and the 56 year-old has wasted no time in starting to transform the Magpies both on and off the field.
The change seen at Newcastle since he accepted the job permanently on May 25th following our relegation has been little short of amazing.
Rafa has already signed four new players with hopefully two more on the way in the next day or two.
New fields have been laid at Benton along with new 4G artificial turf pitches and the configuration of the dressing rooms and players quarters have been completely reconfigured at the direction of the manager.
Guillem Balague has been interviewed in the Chronicle today and he has said he will try to take in some of Newcastle’s Championship games this season in a league which could be really interesting.
This is what Balague has said in an exclusive interview in the Chronicle starting with how Newcastle were able to attract the world-class manager:
“I find it extraordinary.” “To be able to convince somebody like Rafa to come is extraordinary.”
“But at the same time, once he’d gone to Real Madrid and had the dream move he wanted, whatever happened there he was really wondering after that what was available?”
“He will never say I wanted to be at Newcastle since he’d been a boy or anything like that, but he knows that Newcastle can be one of the top seven or eight clubs in England.”
“They are simply going through bad times at the moment.” “Rafa will look at this as a professional challenge.”
“He will look where they go next and trying to bring them back to the Premier League is a fascinating challenge.”
“There are some big-name managers in the Championship this season and some Champions League winners in there like Roberto Di Matteo and Rafa.”
“It will be an exciting division next season and I won’t have enough hours in a day to watch all of the games!”
“I’m not sure how I will do that.” “I definitely want to go to Newcastle, go to Manchester, go to Barcelona and Madrid plus Valencia and Espanyol as they have Quique Sánchez Flores.”
“There’s so much going on, but I will find my way to Newcastle.”
“Real Madrid was very different and Benitez suggested things, but they didn’t always listen, but that’s how it works at big clubs.”
“Especially one where the business model is to be the galacticos.” “The manager at Real Madrid is always just another piece of the puzzle.”
“At Newcastle, he can get on with his challenge.”
Rafa is telling everybody who will listen to him that he has a very exciting project at Newcastle and he has started it in his usual workaholic no-holds barred approach to getting things done quickly.
Lee Charnley seems to be working well with him at the executive level too to move things along too, which is good.
Couple that with his unique coaching ability and man-management skills and the manager has already had a profound impact at Newcastle – at the football club – and also a profound effect on the City.
Rafa has said he wants to win trophies at Newcastle – something that hasn’t happened at the club for 47 years – since May, 1969.
To do that Rafa has to take Newcastle back to the top – the very top.
We love it!
Comments welcome.
245 comments so far
Our Toon
Jul 10, 2016 at 6:37 PM
Comment #41For every player sold we’ve bought in replacements on less wages so can’t believe for a second that we’d pay ings 150k a week. Not to mention it goes against everything Ashley stands for. Another reason why the likes of Markovic, Ibe, Carroll are just pipe dreams
Sazzer
Jul 10, 2016 at 6:38 PM
Comment #42Our Toon
I’m going to look it to the financial fair play rules but would be suprised if Markovic isn’t a possible signing because of them given that we signed Ritchie.
Thus I think he could be possible target even if I agree that it is probably a bigger chance he will go abroad again.
Nufc-83
Jul 10, 2016 at 6:43 PM
Comment #43Haha james toon 150k!!! Whoever is reporting that should be shut down.
Our Toon
Jul 10, 2016 at 6:47 PM
Comment #44Sazzer
Aye it’s worth checking into with the championship rules, I’d love Markovic here but I can’t see it happening mate. The big difference with Ritchie and Markovic is ability and reputation as well as wages….in fact there’s a lot of differences. Markovic was once regarded as one of the best upcoming youngsters in the game, he still has a good reputation in Europe. Ritchie is known in Europe but not by many who think he’d be good enough compared to Markovic.
Other things to considering would be signing on fees for both would be very different with Markovic looking for more money and the small matter if getting his country into the world cup which he won’t by playing in championship
Jib
Jul 10, 2016 at 6:58 PM
Comment #45Markovic and big Al mucking about on Partizan TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E3Zx6GpzxM
lochinvar
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:06 PM
Comment #46Murray Hamilton – legend F1 commentator and winning names today !
Jib
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:13 PM
Comment #47https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Walker
Belfast
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:16 PM
Comment #48I was just about too say is it not Murray Walker lol
Mister Tuff
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:31 PM
Comment #49Allez les blues.
I presume Sissoko is starting. Interesting to see how he fares tonight especially after Wenger has heaped praise on him.
Good debate potential afterwards about his performance/abilities.
Plus/hopefully hissy fit from CR7.
Back Door Man
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:39 PM
Comment #50Does anybody know if ANY media outlet (broadcast or online steaming) plan to offer a Sky type of catch-up or highlights service for next season’s Championship … like they do for the EPL? Or do we have to take potluck with a few live games from Sky?
martoon
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:45 PM
Comment #51Evening guys. On the subject of FFP in the Championship as I understand it if you fall foul of it but you get promoted to the Premiership then all they can do is fine you an amount proportionate to how far over you infringed FFP. However if you are still in the Championship or league 1 or 2 then they can issue you with a transfer embargo. So you can take a chance but if you don’t get promoted then the embargo will hit you hard.
Belfast
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:46 PM
Comment #52Channel five show the highlights on Saturday night and sky usually have a highlights programme on a Monday I think.
Sazzer
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:46 PM
Comment #53Our Toon
It would national manager a trip to Turkey if Markovic came and played with his buddy Mitrovic in Championship though. =)
Jail for Ashley
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:47 PM
Comment #54Well I want Portugal to win, as much as he is disliked I think a player of Ronaldos talent should have an international honour.
Back Door Man
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:48 PM
Comment #55Why doesn’t anybody like that arrogant, preening prick, Ronaldo?
Allez les drageons escargot.
WWSBRD
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:48 PM
Comment #56Can’t wait for this game I won’t lie, who ever wins will be great. France have been the best team and deserve it but Ronaldo is phenomenal and actually has a decent team around him
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:48 PM
Comment #57@Back Door Man
Channel 5 in the UK are doing the Saturday night highlights !
Someone on here mentioned that a USA/Canadian channel is picking up our games next season so there should be streams available of most games
Also Sky Sports News Soccer Saturday usually show the goals as they go in in the championship
Belfast
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:49 PM
Comment #58The channel five show was awful when it started last season like, but seemed to improve as the season drew to a close.
I would guess there will be plenty of our games on tv.
WWSBRD
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:51 PM
Comment #59JfA
It’ll be a travesty for him to end his career without an international medal, same with Messi though he is choosing to end his chances
Back Door Man
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:57 PM
Comment #60I was thinking programming more like Sky’s match choice extended highlights of a choosen match … I can’t remember what the programme is called.
welshgeordie9
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:59 PM
Comment #61Come on France, I seem them winning 2-0 man of the match sissoko, then signs a new 5 year contract with us.
WWSBRD
Jul 10, 2016 at 7:59 PM
Comment #62Actually Messi has won the copa America hasn’t he? Still an absolute tart quitting
Jib
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:02 PM
Comment #63Channel 5 readily acknowledged that last season’s effort was pitiful and have promised to kick on next season .
Also there is a lower league show after Motd on Sarradays
martoon
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:05 PM
Comment #64As much as we knock Sissoko he will have a Euro final on his CV and I was trying to think has a toon player ever played in a Euro final before – I can’t think of one?
Oldgit1
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:05 PM
Comment #65Stuck in a village outside Paris, loads of frenchies peeping their bloody horns, god help us if France win, no sleep for us, can see this lot celebrating till the early hours. Plenty of parties in neighbourhood going off.
Oh why didn’t England make the final.
welshgeordie9
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:11 PM
Comment #66Good final so far, all France at the moment.
toonbrother
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:16 PM
Comment #67Sissoko=LEGEND!
Going to miss him at SJP
toonbrother
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:17 PM
Comment #68ronaldo off
this game is over
sing in the corner
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:18 PM
Comment #69Mr Tuff will be enjoying this moment…
bettyswallocks
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:20 PM
Comment #70Moussa actually looks like a footballer. Trapping it properly, close control good when running with it. What’s going on?
ShirebrookToon
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:22 PM
Comment #71He’s on TV in the Euro final Betty with the whole world watching lol
NUFCPaul
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:28 PM
Comment #72Absolutely shocking performance from Sissoko so far, shocking. He’s had a few good runs (with no end product mind) and actually looks interested. Why shocking? Because it’s been so long since we’ve seen him give two sh*ts.
Hope he scores the winner so we can cash in for some serious money.
Ron Knee
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:28 PM
Comment #73It would be ironic if Portugal won this.
toonbrother
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:30 PM
Comment #74lol sissoko what a player!
Nufc-83
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:31 PM
Comment #75Been hammering Sissokho recently but the way he’s playing tonight is top class. This performance will almost certainly rubber stamp his move away for 25+m
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:32 PM
Comment #76I cant describe how furious I am wihh Sissoko.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:32 PM
Comment #77With
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:32 PM
Comment #78Well the bonus this is Sissoko is worth well over 30 mill now 😀
Nufc-83
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:32 PM
Comment #79He’s still only using his one attribute though which is being a great athlete. He still shows poor technique but I will say he is playing well.
manxpie
Jul 10, 2016 at 8:33 PM
Comment #80Didn’t dabizas win it or had he already left us by then?