It’s an uncertain situation Newcastle are in at the moment with no agreement having been reached on Rafa’s potential new contract.
Only Newcastle could have let this situation drag on for this long, and it looks like negotiations will need to continue after next Sunday’s final game of the season at Fulham.
We wrote this morning about some of the problems this causes.
Former Newcastle player and coach Lee Clark has written in Tribal Football today about his essential it is.
Lee Clark – knows what Newcastle need to do
This is what Clark has written in his column for tribal Football:
“What you’ve got to do even before the season finishes is begin to plan for the future,”
“Because ultimately when you come to the transfer market, most of the other clubs are in for the same players that you are in for.”
“You can’t really hide the players that you are after and you need to try and get a little bit of a head-start.”
“For Rafa Benitez and Newcastle, it has got to be sorted one way or another.”
“You can’t go into the summer months where you don’t know if the manager is staying or not.”
“Not only transfers, but there is also pre-season that needs to be planned, you need to decide on the players that you want to let go and the ones you want to keep, such as Salomon Rondon.”
“If there’s no manager in place there is no direction for these decisions.”
“I’ve worked in environments as a manager that haven’t been particularly stable.”
“During my six months at Blackpool there was strong resistance from the ownership.”
“And I also had a situation when I was at Birmingham City where the owner Carson Yeung was put under house arrest.”
“It’s not great, let me tell you. It’s difficult to keep those type of situations away from the players and let them concentrate on the playing side.”
“It’s an uncertain period for Newcastle but I hope it works out for all parties involved.”
“The manager has proven that he is world-class and I hope he can stay on.”
Good words there from Clark.
But we are all dependent on Mike Ashley whose stubborn temperament doesn’t help things.
Comments welcome.
188 comments so far
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 12:44 AM
Comment #161And now I’m annoyed I have to listen to this Liverpool love in crap for the next few decades.
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 12:45 AM
Comment #162Mexican takeover? Let’s hope it’s the cartel, one way of getting rid of Ashley.
NY Mag
May 8, 2019 at 12:47 AM
Comment #163el jefe meets el jabba 🙂
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 12:48 AM
Comment #164#NUFC will not listen to offers below £15m for Isaac Hayden this summer and the asking price may even be £20m.
The former Arsenal midfielder, who signed for United for £2.6m, is still determined to leave the club this summer due to family reasons. [Telegraph]
RobLeenio
May 8, 2019 at 12:48 AM
Comment #165It could be true, for sure. It’s interesting that the story originated in Mexico and hasn’t been denied by the main man yet, which lends some credibility, but I’m with you and think it’s a long shot.
I’m not sure what the benefit of these guys owning us would be, other than to ‘blood’ young South American players in a European league on loan to boost their transfer value. While that would be exciting, it’s not going to help us grow long term.
Could be interesting, though.
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 12:51 AM
Comment #166Never knew I wanted the cartel to takeover until this moment 🙂
NY Mag
May 8, 2019 at 12:51 AM
Comment #167Ronaldo,
There is an interview with Hayden from today where he says he’s played his last game at st James and has an agreement in place with the club to leave this summer.
RobLeenio
May 8, 2019 at 12:53 AM
Comment #168ronaldo, can you imagine if they start sniffing round Sean Longstaff? He’d do wonders to shore up that midfield….
That story on Hayden is another example of poor journalism – ‘the price could be £15M, or it could be £20M’.
Which one is it? Or are you (not you, them) just making it up?
I think Hayden should be worth £25M minimum. Young, English (home grown), great attitude, great ability and great temperament. He’s strong, too. Other clubs get the big 6 to pay daft money for their players, why shouldn’t we?
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 12:55 AM
Comment #169Ny
Is there, do you know who did the interview? I would get that it’s all agreed that he can leave as he should be allowed to but wouldn’t be guaranteed as we can’t let him leave on the cheap.
When he spoke on the lap of honour, it was clear as ever first choice is to leave but even said something on the lines of ‘if’ he does leave. Almost insinuating that it’s not guaranteed as other factors at play.
NY Mag
May 8, 2019 at 12:57 AM
Comment #170Ronaldo,
I don’t know where the ‘original’ came from, but it’s just been posted on the mag tonight
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 12:58 AM
Comment #171Rob
Agree, he should be worth more by looking at similar purchases in this market. But then you don’t want to block him from leaving if they’re not suitors for that. Again though, not a case of leaving on the cheap. Tricky one like, hopefully Lee can justify his bonuses 😀
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 1:01 AM
Comment #172Seeing yedlin had surgery. What for like?
RobLeenio
May 8, 2019 at 1:02 AM
Comment #173How about we offer Hayden in part exchange for Loftus Cheek from Chelsea? We were heavily linked with him last Summer, the player himself made some positive noises about coming and working with Rafa again. Rafa was in the process of bringing him into the first team squad while at Chelsea, though he didn’t get a senior game under him.
Certainly they’ll know each other well and we have a decent recent history of deals with them.
We might end up paying maybe £5-7M, but it would be an excellent signing and the move would be ideal for Hayden too.
ronaldo aarons
May 8, 2019 at 1:03 AM
Comment #174Ny
Think these are the quotes.
Isaac Hayden: “I think I will be going. I have spoken to the club about it & they’ve been open & honest with me. I’m pretty sure the Liverpool game was my last at home. It’s not what is best for me or my family to be playing here next season & doing all that travelling.”
NY Mag
May 8, 2019 at 1:04 AM
Comment #175Rob,
I thought Chelsea had some kind of transfer ban?????
(I could be completely wrong)
NY Mag
May 8, 2019 at 1:08 AM
Comment #176Ronaldo,
Yes, that’s the one…..although I did fall into the trap of beilieving the headline and editorial, which doesn’t quite match the actual quotes.
RobLeenio
May 8, 2019 at 1:08 AM
Comment #177NY Mag, you’re right, but Chelsea are appealing (not like that) and the ban could be frozen while the appeal is heard.
Just reported in the last week, but went kinds under the radar.
So, yes, maybe the above won’t be possible, but maybe it will. It’s in FIFA’s hands currently and they’ll have to make a decision in a hurry, given the window opens next week.
RobLeenio
May 8, 2019 at 1:12 AM
Comment #178Sorry, I’m wrong – the window doesn’t open till 1st July….
😮
NY Mag
May 8, 2019 at 1:15 AM
Comment #179Rob,
I haven’t read anything recently on Chelsea, but I remember an article a few months ago where Chelsea were really peeved because they had appealed the ban and the normal scenario is that the ban is not upheld while the appeal process is in progress, but (fifa or uefa, don’t know which) had said that the ban stands while the appeal is in progress…..I think Chelsea were challenging the legality of that decision
NY Mag
May 8, 2019 at 1:17 AM
Comment #180I’m assuming this ban (if upheld) means they can’t buy any players, but they can sell them (again, I could be wrong)
lesh
May 8, 2019 at 4:44 AM
Comment #181RobL
This seems to suggest the window opens in May 2019
https://www.teamtalk.com/news/when-does-the-2019-premier-league-transfer-window-open
DubaiMicky
May 8, 2019 at 5:22 AM
Comment #182The window opens at midnight on Thursday, May 16 and clubs have until 17:00 on Thursday, August 8, 2019 to complete any transfer.
DubaiMicky
May 8, 2019 at 5:23 AM
Comment #183So that’s next week! Surely Rafa needs to be signed before the window opens?
Surely (don’t call me Shirley).
Lindisfarne
May 8, 2019 at 6:43 AM
Comment #184“It’s a fantastic club. You wouldn’t want to actively try to leave a club when you have 52,000 every home game. But, for me, I have a daughter and a fiancee, soon to be wife, who I have to put first.”
By the sounds of it, Hayden will not squibble over wages at a new club and nufc should be able to demand a good price.
Jib
May 8, 2019 at 7:40 AM
Comment #185Orlegi Sports is a Mexican holding company that bought Santos Laguna twelve years ago
The CEO of Orlegi – Alejandro Irarragorri until last weekend was president of Santos when
he unexpectedly resigned.
Whilst explaining the appointment of the new Santos president he mentioned Orlegi doing
the same in the USA or Europe.
Santos in the 12 years of Orlegi ownership have won the MX league 6 times.
As the owner of a footy club Orlegi’s philosophy is to get connected with every part of
that clubs community and attribute their success to this. They really need a one club city
or region to optimise this.
Gustavo Mendez is a Uruguayan talking head on Fox Sports South America who stated
in passing on TV that Alejandro Irarragorri had mentioned NUFC as a POSSIBLE target.
DubaiMicky
May 8, 2019 at 7:54 AM
Comment #186Jib, sounds like he would tick most if not all of the boxes we the fans would like.
here’s hoping.
lesh
May 8, 2019 at 8:01 AM
Comment #187DubaiMicky… (or would you prefer Shirley?) @183
I’ve been saying that for a couple of weeks but a certain Johnny-Know-All poster has been saying that there’s no need to be concerned as Rafa’s signature’s almost assured – even if negotiations continue beyond June 30. However, there is the small matter of Rafa insisting that the club need to conduct its transfer business with more urgency.
Ron Knee
May 8, 2019 at 8:07 AM
Comment #188Klopp looks at watch, “It’s ten past ten so the children are probably in bed…these boys [Liverpool defenders] are f**king talented giants…fine me.” #LIVBAR #quoteoftheday