Paul Gascoigne has been interviewed by BetStars, and with this summer saga dragging on at Newcastle as things tend to do every summer, Paul Gascoigne points out the real dangers of what Newcastle are doing.
The hierarchy have been engaged in what seems a feeble attempt for over six weeks now to sign Rafa to a long-term contract.
They don’t seem to be able to agree to the conditions Rafa wants in place for him to commit to a long-term stay on Tyneside.
But you really cannot mess around with a world-class manager and Rafa will have multiple clubs after him if ever he leaves Newcastle this summer or when his contract runs out next summer.
What he’s achieved at Newcastle over the last two seasons has been memorable and some outstanding management from the 58-year-old.
He has reminded everybody just how good a manager he really is.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is stubborn and to let these negotiations drag on for so long – we are surprised Rafa still seems so calm about things.
The danger in all of this is that Ashley could make his biggest ever mistake at Newcastle if Rafa gets fed up and leaves the club.
Rafa Benitez – staying calm as Newcastle drag their feet – as usual
This is what Paul Gascoigne has told BetStars regarding Rafa Benitez’ future at the club:
“I think someone like Rafa, it’s always important for any team to keep a manager like that. You just have to look at his CV.”
“But nowadays you’ve got to spend money, it’s as simple as that. In order to compete with the likes of Man City and Man United or any club for that matter, you need to spend and spend well.”
“If they want to keep Rafa, they need to give him the money to improve the squad. If they don’t then he won’t want to stay.”
“Newcastle need good players to improve – you can’t win games without good players.”
“Newcastle did well to finish 10th but could’ve finished higher.”
“Keep hold of Rafa, give him the money to spend and they could well do that.”
Remember a short two years ago last March when we were all in shock that Rafa had just signed on as the Newcastle manager and we all said then that even Ashley cannot mess this one up.
Well – it’s now possible.
If Rafa does leave, Newcastle fans would demand Mike Ashley sell the club and quickly too.
The owner has been a disaster for Newcastle for eleven years now, and he still doesn’t seem to understand the football game and how he can make money in it.
Ashley can make big money if he allows Rafa to create a top Newcastle side, but real investment up front is necessary for that.
If Rafa is supported, then Newcastle could even win trophies, and the price of the club could go soaring.
Comments welcome.
180 comments so far
Ron Knee
Jun 4, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Comment #41That was a stunning first half.
RobLeenio
Jun 4, 2018 at 7:49 PM
Comment #42Jail, I think I’ll take the family, should be a good atmosphere and a good chance to see the new signings (if there are any). normally go with the lads
RobLeenio
Jun 4, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Comment #43Think I’m responsible for Jib’s 167 hearts. Or rather my kindle Fire is. Tapped it once, suddenly hundreds of hearts appeared.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 7:52 PM
Comment #44Not thick as mince Jiblets, just didn’t read further than:
Sat 28.07.2018 FC Porto (Portugal) (a) KO tbc
Wed 01.08.2018 opposition tbc (a) KO tbc
Sat 04.08.2018 FC Augsburg (Germany) (h) 3pm
The Germany bit.
Jib
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:03 PM
Comment #45Fair play Jail
Easily done
and to be fair
it isn’t too clear.
Sorry that was harsh
Ron
Do you find it hard to believe I have
160+ fans ?
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:09 PM
Comment #46Jib,
Could possibly justify doing the Porto one and making a family holiday of it but we’re in Holland for the weekend that week.
Munster Mag
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:11 PM
Comment #47Jail our only chance is that Fats has more sky money to play with next season in addition to this year, so feels a bit generous and Rafa can keep using a comparatively small budget on digging up quality like merino. But then what would I care, as according to you I hate the nan, despite constant praise on here by me about everything from his asking a man with cancer to come to training, to helping mo diame and shelvey improve so much! Yip, I hate him for sure.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:13 PM
Comment #48Munster,
I just never got why you constantly slated him?
Jib
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:15 PM
Comment #49There’s still one to be arranged for Wednesday
01 August
Best hang fire
RobLeenio
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:35 PM
Comment #50Jib, your comment was good, but not that good…
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:42 PM
Comment #51If Carlsberg could have done fixtures, then playing Alkmaar on that weekend we go away would have been unbelievable. There is not a snowball’s chance in hell wor lass would have believed it was a coincidence.
Munster Mag
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:46 PM
Comment #52It probably came across that way as I was the only one asking questions. Well maybe me, posada, Lilongwe and Er…. Catchy. I just felt his early tactics and early tactics in the championship were too cautious. Also I felt that if Rafa said anything obvious, that any other toon manager wud also have said, it was taken as the words of a prophet or something. That said I’m a bit anti establishment, sometimes without reason. In reality I’m thrilled we have him.
Jib
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #53Chilean CH Guillermo Maripan scotes
Jib
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:48 PM
Comment #54he scores as well
😀
Munster Mag
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Comment #55I have a feeling that 50mill plus sales will keep rafa happy and more next year might be enough to secure him.
Jib
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:52 PM
Comment #56Igor Lichnovsky
There’s a good Chilean name
lochinvar
Jun 4, 2018 at 8:56 PM
Comment #57Gazza is of corse entitled to his opinion.
“Keep hold of Rafa, give him the money to spend and they could well do that.”
And we all of course echo the sentiment.
However at the moment it’s too soon to know just what amounts have been made available for transfers.
In fact we’ve effectively already spent £6m on Dubrovka (£2m loan plus £4m to sign) and other signings will follow. Could be that Rafa is keeping his powder dry. Comparisons with other clubs are not very useful as it’s about who we need and if we get them.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:05 PM
Comment #58Asking questions of what though Munster, his integrity, his tactical nous, his transfer policy, his failings elsewhere, his popularity in world football? You never had a good word to say about him except every now and then you said you had a framed photo of him, I can only presume it was on your dartboard.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:15 PM
Comment #59According to some criminalogists report it’s on average 15K to hire a top gun , probably 100K for a billionare I wonder if we could crowd fund that. 😀
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:19 PM
Comment #6052K paying £2 a go, I’m in.
lochinvar
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:20 PM
Comment #61Just have to hope that Ashley isn’t hoarding his cash so that he can make a rescue bid for HoF where he already has a stake as he likes a failed retail business to buy for nowt and turn around.
House of Fraser has denied reports it is on the brink of collapse as the department store chain insists its rescue plans are on track.
The retailer said it is “inaccurate and unhelpful” to suggest it is struggling to secure the support of its banks.
The talks were continuing and “constructive”, House of Fraser added.
The retailer said last month it would launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which allows firms to close loss-making shops and reduce rents.
Bobbybee
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:37 PM
Comment #62Bill, nice thought, but I doubt there’s anything I can tell Rafa about football mate. He might already be realising he needs to be given a chance. After all, Rafa himself hadn’t said he’s, for sale.
jane
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:45 PM
Comment #63only £50 for a blogger i’m in! 🙂
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:46 PM
Comment #64Rafa has said that ideally he wants to have about 22 players in the squad with 2 or 3 youngsters joining that group and staking a claim there may be room for Armstrong yet!
He has had experience of playing wide left , up front and as a no 10 so he can be versatile
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:48 PM
Comment #65loch,
It sounds as though cash isn’t a problem for him though. sparky55 said he needed cash for some land deal, the club was put up for sale about three days later, Did he get the cash he needed on the pretence of that?
Bobbybee
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:51 PM
Comment #66Just skipping through News now Newcastle gives you an idea that in reality, the media haven’t a bloody clue who’s going where. What an absolute jumbled up mess.
We’ve already been linked to dozens of players that journalists are obviously just plucking from the ether.
Merino is a fine example. He’s, definitely going to Spain… or in his own words he wants to knuckle down and get his place because he’s happy here. WTF??? 🙂
This is going to be a long couple of months.
lochinvar
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:52 PM
Comment #67Jail
You are of course quite right.
Cash isn’t a problem for Ashley, just spending it on NUFC is
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:54 PM
Comment #68jane,
I’m sure you, jiblets, jeff from benwell welsh and all the carl”s could afford £5 each to raise £50!
Bobbybee
Jun 4, 2018 at 9:58 PM
Comment #69Lee, if Arma keeps putting in performances like he is for the U21 team, it would be pure madness to let him go without trying him out. I can’t believe Rafa would watch these games and not sit up and take notice. And I also can’t believe he isn’t watching these games.
We can but hope he gets chance to prove himself because a lot more people are coming round to realising what a cracking little player he is.
We’ve paid for his apprenticeship after all, we need to be the club taking advantage of it.
welshgeordie9
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:01 PM
Comment #70Jail you could always ask your idol.
Mike Ashley.
Jib
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:01 PM
Comment #71The Bas Dost links have started again in the Dutch media
He wants out of Sporting Lisbon after the training ground fracas last month
Sevilla have spoken to him but he fancies the PL.
So it’s between us and Everton
Everton have 2 factors in their favour
1/ They appointed a Dutchman Marcel Brands director of football last month to replace
Steve Walsh
2/ Marco Silva managed Sporting Lisbon
So if Rafa is really interested , and the Dutch media reckon he is,
it’s going to take all his famous powers of persuasion to entice Dost to the NE
Bladey
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:05 PM
Comment #72Grounding day week month year on this boring blog
? Rafa will leave if he doesn’t get the readies
Same old Lily livered bloggers on talking bollox
Banal conversation between ashleys followers
ASH OUT
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:07 PM
Comment #73Jib,
On what basis can they evaluate the 15/25M Wijnaldum to being now 70M yet the 2.6M/12M Van Dijk not making the top 50?
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:07 PM
Comment #74/75M
welshgeordie9
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:08 PM
Comment #75Well said Bladey.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:10 PM
Comment #76We were heavily linked with Van Dijk, I don’t read Villa, Everton etc blogs, was everyone linked with him or was it just us because of Graham Carr.
Jib
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:12 PM
Comment #77Well said Welshie about Bladey
Jail for Ashley
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:13 PM
Comment #78welsh me auld haddock and skate, you do know bladey is a notorious wum now don’t you?
magic hat
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:14 PM
Comment #79I like the idea of a 22 man squad with a few youngsters. Personally i think a the 25 limit is a good. 2 players for each position = 22 a extra keeper and striker takes you to 24 (these are arguably the most soecialist). With that in mind who is the squad gonna be… we still have more than 25 senior players on the books… we all know the first 11 currently and i doubt any of those will leave. Murphy hayden clark atsu merino manquillo darlow elliot joselu. I imagine will all stay as squad players. Thats 20 players. Then i expect mitro mbemba sels lassar saivet arrons colback to be leaving. Who knows how sterry fits in? Thats 28 senior players acording to rafa’s 22 thats at least 6 out before signing anyone else!
welshgeordie9
Jun 4, 2018 at 10:17 PM
Comment #80Jail
In a way, aren’t we all.