There was surprising news today in France that Newcastle are interested in current Lyon manager Bruno Genesio and they have been in contact with his agent Pini Zahavi.
But 52-year-old Genesio isn’t that keen to join Newcastle, and Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas is eager to keep his manager at Lyon.
Ashley wants to sign Rafa to a long term deal otherwise there will a revolt from the Newcastle fan base in the summer.
But the news that Ashley is willing to improve the Youth Academy with some investment for next season and that he has also agreed to bring in another expensive recruit (similar to Miguel Almiron) in the upcoming transfer window is good news.
Mike Ashley – must keep Rafa at Newcastle
Wages have never been a problem with Rafa, but Ashley has nevertheless offered him a wage packet that will see him one of the highest paid managers in the Premier League.
Rafa wants improvements made to the Training Ground at Benton but no news on that yet, and whether Ashley will invest in that immediately.
It’s proper planning to at least understand which managers may be available if Rafa walks in the summer.
But Mike Ashley must keep Rafa on Tyneside – hopefully with at least a five-year new deal this summer.
The consequences of Newcastle United losing Rafa Benitez would be unimaginable.
Comments welcome.
63 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:38 AM
Comment #41Bambams,
Not from a credible source though?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:42 AM
Comment #42Maybe we will go for Wenger seems the perfect fit?
Likes to bring through young players , doesn’t like to spend money and plays entertaining football…..
I honestly think if Rafa does leave it will be one of Moyes, Allardyce or Hughes that gets the job !
They will take a decent salary to just get abuse for 90 minutes a week knowing if they do get sacked they will get millions in pay offs !
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:48 AM
Comment #43Lee Charnley Bunga Party,
Aye, they’ve become immune to criticism due to the massive pay outs. I think Moyes is the best bet. He’s been on the radar a few times and he’ll want to stick it up the mackems, he, like McLaren would be the perfect fit.
🙁
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:50 AM
Comment #44Nicky,
Well put.
Aces-of-Eights
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:51 AM
Comment #45One manager we must never get is hughes he is crap full stop. Id look at gasperini of atalanta. The lyon mgr we are linked with did well in ch lge they beat man city
ben.g
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:51 AM
Comment #46Rob.l
There was an article in the chronicle about Rafa say the academy facility wise “for or less fine” it’s just coaches and players to be brought in.
It’s Benton training facilities that need the upgrade!
When work starts at Benton I’ll be happier.
ben.g
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:54 AM
Comment #47Benitez appeared to suggest that the facilities at the club’s Little Benton Academy base are “more or less” fine. But when pressed by interviewer Vicki Sparks on exactly what kind of upgrades he’s looking for, he said: “It’s just to be sure that they have the facilities that they already have, more or less, but also that they’re coached properly so that you can bring some players.
Can’t do links on phone!
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:55 AM
Comment #48I wonder why that is?
The Bournemouth away sold out on 50 points and I just couldn’t get a hold of more than a single ticket which was no good as I was going to meet two pals in London first. Yet Brighton has gone down to 10 points, I know it’s a half five kick off but it’s an overnight stay in Bournemouth or London anyway. Maybe a lot more tickets available at the Alex?
ben.g
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:56 AM
Comment #49I googled.. Rafa academy more or less fine
If anyone’s interested
Nostradamus the Geordie
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:56 AM
Comment #50I think Mike will have to up his game and take Rafa to say, Peace and Loaf Jesmond or Mantra.
He needs to go fancier to butter up our manager, surely he’ll pick PLJs, if he does he has a slim chance of Rafa signing.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Comment #51Aces-of-Eights,
You have to factor in their ambitions must match ours.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 15, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Comment #52@Jail
There has been several reports about Ashley always wanting to get Moyes for a fair few years now because of the job he did at Everton with limited funds!
Seems to be the way Ashley just wants a manager who will work with whatever scraps the club give them while he profits the rest!
Thing is there would be a protest for about a week and then once a few signings come in the fans would still turn up
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:01 PM
Comment #53Nostradamus the Geordie,
Nice bit of Scran in that Peace and Loaf, struggle to get the full squad in there though, just a cosy one with Mikey and Rafa with Churnley translating. Maybe Jibbles could tell us what they were talking about if it was in an auld Castillian dialect 😮
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:04 PM
Comment #54LCBP,
Sadly they would, but I think the despondency around the place will set him up to fail and unfortunately for the hapless Moyes the crowd would vent their anger on him as Mikey stayed away.
toon22
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:21 PM
Comment #55So Rafa will be shown the door for showing some ambition
And we will look for someone who will toe the party line and fight MAs relegation battles
And we are putting forward names to who that should be ?
Were happy with that ??
Nostradamus the Geordie
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Comment #56Lol, Jail, I was thinking cozier the better, no players, just Mikey and Rafa, Mike to Rafa, What do you want to make you stay, Rafa to Mikey, firstly Mikey we can start with Isle of Wight Tomato, Burrata, Seaweed, Almond followed by Northumbrian Pigeon, Waldorf, Mikey to Rafa, no hold on Rafa I meant to stay at the club, Rafa to Mikey, if we don’t get all the way to Jammy Dodger and White Chocolate, Orange, Fennel, Blackberry then I’m not staying, Mikey to Rafa god damn Rafa with Drink Pairing this will cost about 130.00 per person, yes Lads and Lasses even a simple Dinner, Mikey would fcuk it up.
Mister Tuff
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Comment #57Jail – on the subject of translation – you just cannot have any old Tom, Dick or Harry trying to translate especially if the conversation moved to technical football matters with the use of football jargon.
You would need a translator with specific knowledge of football.
In the translation scenario you suggest if Rafa mentioned introducing a new formation on Saturday you know who would report that the Red Arrows were having a fly past before the match.
toon22
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:24 PM
Comment #58Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Yep until the usual start we get,you think those protests will stay away for the season ?
I doubt he can claim to be selling us again lol
The managers job at the toon is a poisoned chalice.
Genjikai
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:34 PM
Comment #59Toon22 i support your efforts but what are you going to do about it?
They do say actions speak louder than words.
So instead of words what actions do you plan on taking?
I would rather read your posts telling me what youve done to get rid of ashley.
I personally think your efforts would be better used organising against what you preach, and then coming on here and saying heres what ive organised whos going to join in.
Bambams
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Comment #60Jail
Yes from a very good source. Someone who told me in December Beardsley was not coming back, told me about the two youngins that were moved on because Ash would not pay the taxi fares from Teeside.
A few other things as well.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 15, 2019 at 12:59 PM
Comment #61Bambams,
Well I’m sorry but I don’t believe a word of your source’s info on that particular matter, I think he’s had too many sherberts and is winding you up. Colin Wonka is known as a promotion specialist and not lasting in the top flight. I don’t even think Mikey is that stupid.
Bambams
Mar 15, 2019 at 1:05 PM
Comment #62Jail
A number of times I have said I will share, those who want to believe can, those who dont….
It’s no bother for me fella.
They would know and they were also spot on about Pedro.
toonluvva
Mar 15, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Comment #63As a ST holder st St James’ Park I sorry, but I fully expect to be saying “adios” to Rafa at the end of the season.
He knows that Ashley’s main concern is always retail. He will always put that before NUFC. His pursuit of Debenhams just goes to show how singleminded he is about his shops. Newcastle will always come bottom of his list. Rafa deserves much better,