If Newcastle fans attending the games next season ever wonder if they make a difference at the club – think again.
Rafa Benitez has been very clear that the major reason he is still at Newcastle is because of the fans and the way they sing his name during the games.
Rafa has also been impressed with the Gallowgate Flags group, who have created some really impressive looking flags with Sir Rafa Benitez’ picture on them.
Rafa Benitez talking with Newcastle fans
It’s clear the club is now recreating itself in the image of Rafa Benitez – and we just love it!!
Having a really good team and the club being well run on and off the pitch has been a long time coming.
This is what Benitez has told BBC World Service’s World Football program when asked why he decided to stay on at Newcastle.
“It was loyalty to the fans.” “The way that they were supporting us from the first day, even with the relegation.”
“The last game against Tottenham, we were already relegated, but then you have 52,000 fans turn up signing my name and supporting the team.”
“So it was like: ‘Oh, we have to do it, they deserve something more, and then we will try out best from day one to do our best to go back straight to the Premier League.’”
“We now need to change things because the Championship is very demanding, but it’s another type of competition.”
“The Premier League now is so difficult, with so many players that you have to improve the squad if you want to compete.”
“I think winning the Championship is a great achievement for all my staff, all my people, because it’s a very difficult league, it’s very competitive.”
“So I will put it in a very good position but I will not say it is better or worse than the others, because I appreciated those then and I enjoy all of them.”
“I found the league quite interesting as a manager.” “It’s very difficult; you play two games a week, sometimes three games in 10 days, and you don’t have time to recover.”
“It’s very physical, very demanding, and also the difficulty that you have is that if you for example play the Champions League and the league.”
“You go away during the week and you change the environment and you change everything.”
“But, when you play in the same country, the same type of teams and the same league, you don’t change and you don’t have time to change.”
“Then it’s very demanding physically and mentally, so it’s quite difficult for players and staff, but I think we did well.”
We did well is a real understatement – and Rafa put together a way that other clubs can follow when they are relegated and try to build a team that can get back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Sunderland are one of those clubs who could do that, but first of all they need to get some stability and recover from what’s been another terrible season for their fans.
The big advantage Newcastle had last summer was the fans were so upbeat when we were relegated, because Rafa was staying on.
Everything Rafa and the club did – the fans were right behind the manager.
That will continue this season in the Premier League as will the singing of Rafa Benitez’ name during the games.
That should keep him at Newcastle for at least the next ten years.
🙂
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
May 14, 2017 at 8:42 AM
Comment #1Rafa is the gaffer!
hibbit
May 14, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Comment #2hope some folk on here take note
” it was the 52000 fans in the ground sing my name that made the difference ”
Rafa’s own words not mine
no doubt Rafa is the gaffer we’ve waited years for
lochinvar
May 14, 2017 at 8:59 AM
Comment #3“I think winning the Championship is a great achievement for all my staff, all my people, because it’s a very difficult league, it’s very competitive.”
“All my people”
There you have it.
If it becomes more evangelical I might start going to church – oh wait I do I go to the Cathedral on the hill.
Hallelujah !
Toondog2
May 14, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Comment #4Jail , Hibbit, and Lochinvar,
In a nutshell guys.
Rafa is the Gaffa taking the Toon to the promised land .
In Rafa we trust.
Toondog2
May 14, 2017 at 11:31 AM
Comment #5I reckon SBR is looking down and giving Rafa the big thumbs up
HWTL