Rafa Benitez’ contract runs out in just under eight months time and nobody really knows if he will sign a new deal with Mike Ashley still likely to be the owner of Newcastle United next June.
But Rafa is currently engaged in doing his job and he again says the discussions on any new deal can wait.
And he’s not even interested at the moment in how much money Ashley will give him for transfers in January.
The better we do before then will likely lessen the funds Mike Ashley will give Mr. Benitez – that’s the way a thrifty Mike Ashley thinks.
The manager is almost bound to get some other job offers he may even accept if they come from an ambitious Premier League club.
Rafa wants to stay in England and be close to his wife and two daughters in the Wirral in Cheshire.
Rafa Benitez talks to Matt Ritchie in training earlier this season
So any news about Rafa leaving for China or somewhere on the continent – we just don’t think that’s going to happen next year.
And Rafa is not even worried about what transfer funds he will get in January from Ashley.
His recruitment team under the leadership of Steve Nickson (who has been in the job for 16 months now) are out scouring the continent for new players who can improve the side in January.
This is what Rafa has said as reported in the Chronicle today:
“We have plenty of opportunities to talk about that, we have to maximize what we have now. The future can wait.
“If we win against Bournemouth, maybe we can win two or three other games, too, and that will make a massive difference to our season.”
“Obviously this is a difficult game, because we’re playing against a team that’s in form.”
“But we’re at home so I’m confident that we can do what we have to do, which is to get three points.”
“It will be an even bigger boost for the confidence and we’ll have more chances to compete.”
“What I said about these fixtures after the first games is that, if you play well, you can win these games.
“Even not playing really well, you can win.”
“But against the top sides, if you don’t play well, normally you will lose, so I think we’ll have more chances to get points in November and December.”
“In every position in the table, it’s really important to win successive games, especially at the bottom.”
“If you analyze this season, the teams at the top are winning and not losing. They are winning almost all the time.”
“The teams at the bottom, we are losing more than maybe in the past.”
“What does that mean? It means the difference between these teams and the others is too big. So that means a couple of wins give you a really good platform going forward.”
Rafa is concentrating fully on trying to get as many wins as he can before Christmas to move the club away from the relegation zone – we need wins to do that.
That can do at least a couple of positive things – make Newcastle look a more attractive club for players to join in January and also possibly attract a new buyer for the club in the first half of next year.
Comments welcome.
8 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:41 PM
Comment #1Be a blo0dy shame if we have to keep losing before Ashley loosens the purse string.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Comment #2Can you imagine the outrageous thought of a club that attracts 52K has a billionaire owner and “debt free” being able to afford both Murphy and Townsend so that in the often event we’re leading two or three nil at home we could bring on the devolping Murphy in a fantastic pressure free atmosphere, nah, impossible, way to unrealistic in this time of austerity.
Ron Knee
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Comment #3I keep waiting for Neil Warnock to give us a rendition of Rocky Mountain Way.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:44 PM
Comment #4I see that more think we’ll win today, well done those people, a big boo to those who’ll think we’ll lose or even draw.
JohnJ
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:54 PM
Comment #5i always want Toon to win but last week I voted for a draw and they won so……..
I’ve voted for a draw today hoping they’ll win again!
Haway the lads!
Shot Bru
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:54 PM
Comment #6Bournemouth are a top club, tough game today.
They generally spend their cash well. Like the look of David Brooks who they got for a bargain 11 million.
chicousa
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:57 PM
Comment #7Nostradamus
Scottsdale is great! My brother in law (a Giants fan) and me (a Dodgers fan) have been down to Phoenix area a few times over the last 10 years for spring training! Good to hear there are other Toon Army members getting up at this ungodly hour for football!
😉
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 10, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Comment #8chicousa
Doesn’t start for another two hours, you could have had another couple of hours in bed. 🙂