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
Toonces
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:13 PM
Comment #41Congrats on the good news, Ed! Thanks for keeping the blog up and running with all you have had to deal with. HWTL!
Essex Geordie Bill
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Comment #42The FaceBook, Google, Netflix news has to be a huge kick in the face for a lot of clubs but especially to MA 🙂
As several have already said it might just make him have a rethink on the price he’s asking.
Also a chance for Amanda or someone else to come in again at a price she/someone wants to go to.
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:18 PM
Comment #4311 minutes to go for Rafa’s presser
c-dog
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:19 PM
Comment #44Rafa is clearly not happy. He’ll be gone at the end of the season if we’re relegated. He’ll be gone at the end of the season id the take-over doesn’t happen. He’s staying until the end of the season for the fans and that’s an incredible thing to do. He is a man with ambition and we are a club, under the stewardship of Ashley, with none.
Lindisfarne
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:28 PM
Comment #45Pin the phrase on the donkey is a game almost as good as bolting a horse to a cart.
Mike Ashley bought NUFC:-
1. “for the love of the game”?
2. “to make a quick buck”?
3. “as a millionaire plaything”?
Entertain your friends and family with other assorted sentences that you can make up yourself for free.
RobLeenio
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:31 PM
Comment #46Lindi
4. “on a whim”
5. “for a bet”
6. “to give him somewhere to fly his helicopter”
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Feb 9, 2018 at 1:49 PM
Comment #47RobLeenio
I don’t agree that Dummett has always been a decent LB, in fact I’d go so far to say that he has been a pretty god-awful LB and shouldn’t be starting for a PL side – that being said he has looked much more solid of late and consistently defends much better than Yedlin whom I feel needs to get back to basics with his defending before bombing forward.
I’d like to see 3 at the back as well given the amount of decent centre halves we have and the fact that Clarke needs support and it’d also be a way to get Mbemba back in the side – he’s a guy I rate though Rafa must have other ideas.
Thoughts on the result this weekend folks?
Jib
Feb 9, 2018 at 2:02 PM
Comment #48Lindisfarne
Associates of Ashley have said that originally,
flushed with his SD stock market triumph , and believing
he had the magic touch in all things sporting,
he bought a distressed NUFC to “flip” for a profit.
A bit like “footy clubs under the hammer”
What a mug !
dig-n-dig22
Feb 9, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #49Lindisfarne #45
Mike Ashley bought Newcastle because:
(1) He is not into Porn (2) He is a closet Scumberland fan. (3) He wanted to show his SD shop assistants
a picture of something they had never seen before, Lots of people, A fullSJP 52.000
GPPaweyyekna
Feb 9, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Comment #50Jib,
He really is a mug. He’s out of control and for the life of me do not understand how he’s made it. I think the best thing he can do is sell up (both SD and NUFC, get out of the limelight and f/off to the US. That video on Youtube in front of the committee just tells you evrything you need to know about him. He wanted to buy BHS for f’s sake and put two shi’e stores together thinking it would work. His pipsqueak side kick got shot right down off that Iain whatseezname. He was about to start rambling on when the guy just cut him dead. If I was Ashley I would watch that and think what have I just paid you for.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 9, 2018 at 4:06 PM
Comment #51I see fans are picking the new lad Dubravka then I would pick Lejuene and even Mbemba as as it is to believed he like to pass out from the back then I think we will struggle as Yedlin Lascalles Clark and Dummett are not comfortable on the ball ie a mistook waiting to happen
Me I would stick with the same back five