Sky Sports Spanish reporter Guillem Balague knows Rafa very well and his written a book about him when Rafa was at Liverpool FC.
He usually knows how to read Rafa regarding what he’s thinking, and he says Rafa has already turned down offers from China and Saudi Arabia, and both would have given him €10M net.
But Rafa is not motivated by money these days – he has enough of that – he’s ambitious and wants to win trophies again.
We hope he agrees to stay on and do that at Newcastle United but with Mike Ashley still being the owner – that may make it difficult for him.
Sky Sports journalist Guillem Balague
This is what Guillem Balague has said on his YouTube channel:
“I’ve heard that Rafa Benitez has been approached by clubs in China and Saudi Arabia, both of them willing to pay €10M net for two years.”
“This was about two months ago, and he said no, he had on the table a renewal of his contract for five years at Newcastle which he has not signed yet.”
“He should be, with Miguel Almiron arriving, a little bit happier, it’s taken a while for this to happen, he would like this to continue.”
“He’s doing miracles isn’t he? Well done to Rafa, who I have always known as a very special manager.”
He’s certainly a very special manager and made to measure for Newcastle United.
We live in hope he will sign a new deal before the end of the season to stay at Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
Markaccus
Feb 1, 2019 at 3:47 PM
Comment #1Im sorry, but I call shenanigans on Qatar leading Japan 3-1. All the controversy over them holding the world cup, and suddenly they are beating top Asian teams when they themselves are relative unknowns up till now.
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Comment #2Markaccus
I hear what you are saying but Japan were going for a record 5th
Asian cup
Qatar have a good coach in Félix Sánchez Bas who’s managed Barcelona
Youth sides for 10 years and the Aspire academy
He’s had this Qatar squad for 6 years from U19 through U20 U23
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 3:57 PM
Comment #3Japan 1 Qatar 3
Muto comes through unscathed
(mops brow)
Markaccus
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:00 PM
Comment #4Jib
I can accept that they have improved, given thise circumstances, I just find it difficult to believe that they have jumped that far. Obviously I could be seeing something that’s not thier, like. It’s easy to be paranoid, especially when the fifa hierarchy at the time of them winning the WC vote comprised of some of the most corrupt people in the history of the game.
Markaccus
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:00 PM
Comment #5Those* there *
RobLeenio
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:01 PM
Comment #6Guillem Balague is Rafa’s unofficial mouthpiece and a far more respected one than Dennis Wise or Rio Ferdinand for other folk associated with our club.
If he is saying Rafa’s a little bit happier but he needs it to continue, we can assume that means Rafa will sign a new contract but will keep his options open. 1-2 year contract maybe?
Markaccus
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:03 PM
Comment #7Robleenio
If Balague is Rafa’s mouth piece, does that make Richard Keyes Ashley’s @rsehole? 😀
jimiley
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:05 PM
Comment #8Rafa is not playing Ashley like a Stradivarius.
But the fat man is playing the fans for fools again.
Ashley realizes the fans are furious but he has just bought them off for a measly 20 million. How easy was that Mike?? That should keep the lid on things for a couple of years until we sell Almiron for 50 million.
jimiley
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:11 PM
Comment #9Why would a world class manager want to sign an extended contract at Newcastle?? Oh I see, because he has been treated so well by the owner and he can now win something. Exciting times.
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:15 PM
Comment #10jimiley
Why would a world class manager want to sign an extended contract at Newcastle?
The world class manager has told you
He sees potential
jimiley
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:20 PM
Comment #11Jib
He can obviously see something nobody else can under Ashley.
Munster Mag
Feb 1, 2019 at 4:36 PM
Comment #12Jib as I’ve tried to explain to Jail (not easy), nufc are potentially an attractive proposition if Ashley can loosen the purse a bit. Leicester etc don’t have our fan base and the big English clubs don’t want rafa and he knows it. Nufc have potential and rafa wants to be the hero at the top of an army of fans like Liverpool. Only somewhere like celtuc offers that. Maybe Leeds with funds. But Leicester City is no nufc, even if they won the league a few years ago.
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 5:34 PM
Comment #13https://www.instagram.com/p/BDOm_5GI9T4/
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 6:00 PM
Comment #14https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/2/undefined?events=775291429&family=editorial&sort=best#
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 6:03 PM
Comment #15https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/antonio-barreca-warms-up-during-the-newcastle-united-training-session-picture-id1126690416
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 6:08 PM
Comment #16https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/2/undefined?autocorrect=none&embeddable=true&events=775291429&family=editorial&sort=best#license
Jib
Feb 1, 2019 at 6:11 PM
Comment #17test
Jib
Feb 2, 2019 at 7:49 AM
Comment #18https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/search/2/undefined?events=775291429&family=editorial&sort=best#license