Here’s a 70 minute discussion with Rafa and three Times’ reporters George Caulkin and Oliver Kay – hosted by Alyson Rudd.
It’s definitely worth a listen.
One pearl – Rafa was asked if his house was burning down which trophy would he would save – and Rafa said but they are in the basement.
What comes through is that Rafa truly loves Newcastle United and he is certainly loved by everybody associated with the club.
This comes in the wake of a Sky Sports report that Rafa is not happy at Newcastle.
Rafa Benitez – seems very comfortable at Newcastle
He may not be happy with Mike Ashley and the way he makes it difficult for the manager, but after listening to Rafa in this podcast, you can feel how much Rafa feels at home at Newcastle.
It’s a win-win situation if only Rafa will sign a long-term deal at the club.
If he does, there will be huge celebrations by Geordie fans everywhere.
But the big question mark is Mike Ashley and whether he will be able to sell the club – if he cannot that would be a problem for both fans and Rafa alike.
Comments welcome.
51 comments so far
one fine day
Feb 9, 2018 at 9:13 AM
Comment #1First things first
Very positive news Ed .
Keep fighting mate.
Just listened to the Rafa / George caulking pod cast on the drive home tonight.
Addressed the mitro thing perfectly .
Rafa is possibly the most humble legend in the game .funny .quick witted and a total gent .bobby I think would be smiling .
Makes me angry thinking how close we are to something huge with Rafa the catalyst yet it can be messed up by a greedy twat from the south.
Catchy please have a listen ..may give you a very different perspective on what he does day in day out .
Rafa absolute class act. .
RobLeenio
Feb 9, 2018 at 9:25 AM
Comment #2Ed, your news is superb on both fronts, very welcome on a soggy morning on Tyneside. I hope you enjoy the wedding, have a huge blow out and it gives you the opportunity to catch up with friends and family – you’ll enjoy it all the more for the positive news on your health, I’m sure. You’ve been posting like a trooper this morning, I’m guessing there won’t be many updates later once the festivities have begun and rightly so. Enjoy!
magscar
Feb 9, 2018 at 9:39 AM
Comment #3Ed
Good to hear you have had some good news in what has been and is a very difficult period for you – stay strong
AncientC
Feb 9, 2018 at 9:48 AM
Comment #4https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/feb/08/facebook-google-netflix-not-ready-to-enter-premier-league-tv-rights-battle
‘Facebook, Google and Netflix not ready to enter Premier League TV rights battle’
People may have been getting a little ahead of themselves in regards to how much TV revenue the PL can bring in over the coming years. The rumours of a European Super League are unfounded, and the PL in my view is financially peaking due to competition between B.T. and Sky—that competition may not always be there.
There is going to come a day, not far away from now, where Ashley will be remorseful for not taking Staveley’s offer for the club.
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:05 AM
Comment #5The current stock market chaos has
caused many future plans and bids
to be binned.
It was the greedy twat from the South
who actually appointed Rafa
one fine day
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:09 AM
Comment #6Jib,
And his motivation for appointing Rafa was …?
Mister Tuff
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Comment #7and the portly fellow lied to the fans and Rafa and blocked quality signings.
Aces-of-Eights
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Comment #8Sky and bt have made a deal where they both can show all of each others channels under one subscription. With that i think they will bid less. But then again i read pl have put reserve price on so that they get big money and bt say they dont need pl. So maybe theyll drop out let sky take it most and show games with the deal they made with sky. Pl only hope is some other big channels to come in as bt and sky arent gonna rev up the prices
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:18 AM
Comment #9Interestingly the global stock market
situation may cause a rethink about
selling from Ashley
Moonraker15
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:23 AM
Comment #10Jib
Of course Ashley appointed Rafa in an attempt to protect his investment ie NUFC.
I have tried to see the positive side of Ashley’s ownership over the years, but it’s now obvious to everyone that we are going nowhere with his continued ownership so there’s no point in defending him! Why do you? What positive do you see for the future! I’m interested in your view as I maybe missing something! Please enlighten me!
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:41 AM
Comment #11Moonraker
You clearly just dip in and read selectively
Yesterday I posted
Jib
Feb 8, 2018 at 6:08 PM
Comment #51
It’s one of lifes great mysteries that
a savvy business operator like MA
should make such a pigs ear of running a footy club.
That doesn’t sound like support to me
Just because I don’t indulge in OTT childish name calling
doesn’t make me a supporter
Neither does pointing out facts that he actually has made Rafa
the 4th best paid manager in the PL
one fine day
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:43 AM
Comment #12Rafa was absolute class in how he conducted himself .
Said some things he knew he couldn’t / wouldn’t say with regards to this year .
Also said that he would never lie to fans about anything.
Meanwhile jibs hero ,el gourdo was mouthing off to random strangers this morning in a pret a manger …class act
one fine day
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:45 AM
Comment #13Jib
He only did that to try and get Rafa to keep his cash cow in the money pit/ prem no?
one fine day
Feb 9, 2018 at 10:55 AM
Comment #14Jib
“He made a pigs ear out of running a footy club” a mystery ?really?
As you say a “great businessman ” Dosent make a “pigs ear ” of these things …ash is running us exactly to plan …minimal investment maximise profit .tax dodge and free marketing to a worldwide stage.
The most unpalatable mission statement for us but pretty much standard vulture buisiness practice .
Mystery my arse
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:02 AM
Comment #15one fine day
I’ve pointed out this before
but like most poorly educated
folk you trot out phrases you
have come across without really
knowing what they mean.
Anything less like a “Cash cow”
than a PL footy club would be
hard to find.
Lascelles sells sea shells by the sea shore
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:12 AM
Comment #16Great news Ed, enjoy the festivities and let your hair down today at what should be a very proud day for all your family, and I’m sure everyone on the blog has had a smile on your positive update this morning as I would say each and everyone of us give a special mention to our respective god’s for your health in our prayers.
A colossus of a man with as a big a heart as you’ll find, you have my utmost respect sir for the tenacity and spirit you show through the toughest of battles and delivering us Newcastle UNITED fans a great platform to discuss anything related!
HWTL’s
Moonraker15
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:12 AM
Comment #17Jib
Thanks for the clarification. I probably do “dip in” selectively as I don’t have time to read every comment. However you make Ashley’s appointment of Rafa sound like an ambitious project when it was obviously just an attempt to save our status so he could plod on without ambition to win things.
When you express surprise that he can’t run the business successfully, in fact in his world it IS a success in that it makes a profit and provides a vehicle to promote SD. The problem is the trophy winning clubs don’t usually make a profit in the short term but have rich benefactors. This is not part of Ashley’s world of profits; hence he’s an enigma as probably the only football club owner in the world who doesn’t want to win anything. Just our luck!
one fine day
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Comment #18Jib..”poorly educated” ?..think I will leave this one for another day as the rational discussion on current affairs revolving around Nufc is clearly out of the question right now.
And “OTT childish insults “are not your thing ? Back to form Jeffery .
Please enlighten us all with your take on futures ,Dow Ftsi..
You know Jane, something we can’t all see on Reuters or just google it .
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:20 AM
Comment #19G2,
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 8, 2018 at 6:05 PM
Comment #47
I suppose you will never know but I will ask the question whether its feasible.
Asked the question and “Impossible to say without knowing how he’s taking money out and what inter company stuff is going on. NUFC is just one of his companies. ” twas the answer. Only the people doing their due diligence and HMRC can answer that I suppose
the white tino
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:27 AM
Comment #20Jib at 12 yeah he made rafa one of the best paid managers in the league, at the same time he’s robbing the club blind no advertising revenue, all food and drink sales are nothing to do with club,we have probably one of the least paid playing squad in league, haven’t broken our transfer record for 13 years yet every other club in premier league have broken there’s in last 2 seasons HOW CAN ANYONE BACK OR BELIEVE IN WHAT ASHLEY IS DOING TO THIS CLUB????
Ron Knee
Feb 9, 2018 at 11:43 AM
Comment #21Congratulations, Ed, on both counts!
AncientC
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:13 PM
Comment #22Absurd article from HITC: http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2018/02/09/mo-diame-form-for-newcastle-surely-warrants-a-new-contract/
‘Mo Diame form for Newcastle surely warrants a new contract?’
According to the same article, Diame is on £45,000 a week.
So Diame has 1 good game and two games where he looks improved, and that warrants an extension to his £45,000 a week contract? Diame will blot hot and cold, mostly cold, as he has proven in nearly 2 years at the club. I reckon the club could do a lot better with £45,000 a week. Keep Diame for the final year of his contract if the club goes down, or—if possible—find a replacement in the summer.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:14 PM
Comment #23He’s pretending he knows the first thing about market fluctuations. Cute.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:21 PM
Comment #24I dunno why we continue giving the multiples any oxygen? They’re either WUMs or plants who thrive off being contrary or backing Ashley.
Any Newcastle fan worth their salt knows that Ashley is the worst thing that has happened our club in most people’s living memories and will go down as one of our worst owners in our club’s history.
On the topic of football, do we reckon we’ll see Slimani up top? Does Ciaran Clark’s shocking performances warrant Lejeuene’s inclusion back in the starting lineup? Is anyone else massively surprised by Paul Dummett looking like a half decent LB?
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:36 PM
Comment #25Rafa’s presser in 55 minutes
(sorry Essex)
😀
RobLeenio
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:38 PM
Comment #26Ruddy, Dummett has always been a half-decent LB, just some couldn’t see it as all they focussed on was the attacking side of his game. Defensively, he continues to improve on an already good skillset.
As for the CB question, I’d like to see a back three in place now we have Kenedy on the left and Yedlin in the right. Clark / Lejeune with Lascelles and Dummett would be solid and Yedlin and Kenedy would be great wing backs in this set up. Wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen vs Man U this weekend, with Diame, Shelvey and Merino in CM to counter Pogba and Perez and Slimani up top.
RobLeenio
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:40 PM
Comment #27Jib, what’s the link for the team chooser app please?
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:47 PM
Comment #28http://football-formation.com/submit-lineup.php
Bigjim67
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:48 PM
Comment #29Ed, great news. You are a geordie legend! Enjoy the occasion and relax, you have earned it sir.
Oldgit1
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Comment #30Thanks GPP for the game pod, I listened to it in its entirety, Rafa came over as if he is going to stay with us for at least a few more years. He was witty but humble in his responses.
The part when it was announced that Rafas fee for the broadcast was wavered to go to the Newcastle food bank shows you what type of man he is, such a contrast to greedy Ashley.
I recommend if you have time to spare,listen to the great man.
Oldgit1
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:53 PM
Comment #31To ED, great news regarding your health and the forthcoming news of the family wedding, really pleased for you.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 9, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Comment #32Ed
Great news on the MRI scan, a brain tumour is one of the worst things ever so knowing you are clear in that respect is brilliant.
A big congratulations to Neil and RuthAnn as well and to echo Martoon we appreciate the support he gives to you, quietly working in the background to keep it running.
I wish them a long and happy future.
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:02 PM
Comment #33Jib
No problem with your countdown, the job is yours!
Have fun! 😉
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:05 PM
Comment #34I do read my posts several times before submitting but somehow manage to miss something every time.
Ed
I should have said “quietly working in the background to HELP keep it running.”
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:07 PM
Comment #35Oldgit. Nee bother. I was up at 05:30 and it kept me going
RobLeenio
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Comment #36Thanks Jib, tried to use it but must be blocked from posting that kind of link.
My team for Sunday:
——————Slimani——————–
——————–Perez——————–
—–Merino—–Diame—–Shelvey—-
Kenedy——————————Yedlin
—-Dummett—Lascelles—Clark——
——————Dubravka—————–
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Comment #37Jib
I like the look of that line up but I’ll be surprised if Dubkrava starts.
Lindisfarne
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Comment #38Jib
I thought I was being quite accurate with my labelling MA a shyster, rather than OTT name calling!
Shyster
Shyster /??a?st?r/ is a slang word for someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law, sometimes also politics or business.
RobLeenio
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Comment #39EGB Hmm, looks suspiciously like my line-up – did I break something or just coincidentally pick exactly the same line-up as Jib? I’m going with the former – sorry Jib
🙂
toon kk
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:13 PM
Comment #40http://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11678/11241421/failed-takeover-and-unhappy-fans-whats-going-on-at-newcastle
How it all is.