As we would expect with such a beloved manager as Rafa Benitez, many players have shared their gratitude on Twitter to their now former manager.
Argentinian central defender Federico Fernandez however has gone a little bit further in his support of Rafa Benitez. This what Ferndandez has just tweeted:
Thanks Rafa. I think you and the staff deserve different way to end your time as a Newcastle manager. All the people around Newcastle love you. All the best for the future. pic.twitter.com/BgNffviK62
— Fede Fernandez (@pajarofernandez) June 24, 2019
This about sums up the feeling of the Newcastle fan base and really any football fan with a love of the game. What has happened to Rafa Benitez is just not right. Plain and simple. Rafa and, by extension the game of football, has been wronged by a despicable man.
Fernandez, no doubt, is expressing the sentiments of many players today. Rafa Benitez has been treated like an expendable bit of rubbish by this owner. He did not deserve this.
Who in their right mind would come to this club at the moment-player or manager? The only solution is the end of Mike Ashley’s control of this club. We cannot more forward, or move at all, until he sells this club to never return.
193 comments so far
Zele
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:31 PM
Comment #41West Lancs Geordie,
You are right, it would be a stupid move that would wipe the value off the club which is why it doesn’t sound like a move that Ashley would make.
West Lancs Geordie
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:32 PM
Comment #42R I P NUFC!
toonluvva
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:34 PM
Comment #43Just a thought. Even though Rafa has not renewed his contract with our beloved owner, there would be nothing to prevent him from signing one with the new owner is there?
Reilly
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:36 PM
Comment #44George Caulkin
@GeorgeCaulkin
· 3m
The sadness is that Newcastle had something profound in their grip, but never truly appreciated what Benitez meant: better. And, a minor, telling detail … I’m told Rafa was given no prior warning today’s statement was coming. (link: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/mike-ashley-and-lee-charnley-did-not-realise-what-they-had-in-rafa-benitez-and-that-is-the-saddest-part-for-newcastle-united-n0wzxghvg) thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/…
The mighty wyn
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:36 PM
Comment #45I’m beginning to think this is only the start of the end game with fatty. Sat and thought about it all afternoon and cannot see even Ashley not understanding how this would light the blue touch paper. Just maybe it’s the first announcement of the week
JP...from The Rock
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:36 PM
Comment #46The timing of Rafa leaving is definitely odd. Ashley LOVES MONEY so it would make no sense for him to announce this a week early and allow plenty of fans time to ponder if it’s worth it renewing their season ticket. Something that made me think too was when the NUFC replica shirts prices became the most expensive in the league and gate prices went up, maybe it was all the Sheikhs doing. Maybe he raised the prices to cover the dent of outlandish spending on Marquee players? Also the Mourinho rumours don’t go away and now Sky Bet have him as favourite. Very odd indeed.
I think something is afoot that’s why I still hold this belief that we could still be in for some very good news.
Tartantoon
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:36 PM
Comment #47Robleenio. I can’t see Arab owners appointing an Israeli in any position whatsoever.
toonedout
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Comment #48We need to make it clear we will no longer support any manager they bring in – either sell or we are relegated – only thing he respects is money so make it clear the cash cow is dead
Ron Knee
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Comment #49Jamaal Lascelles
?Verified account @Lascelles16
I’m saddened to hear about the departure of the gaffa. It’s a huge honour that I’ve captained this side with him as the manager. I’ll be forever grateful for the trust and opportunity he gave me. Thanks boss
BENNY 10
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #50@beefman
Taking into account that I was young during the Bobby Robson era. We had the season when we finished 5th and I really loved that team Cabaye,Hatem,Tiote(rip) and Demba Ba . They were class players but all went on to do better things away from the club, and pardew never really inspired any love from me for some reason? Ha
The reason I love Rafa above everyone else is that he took an average bunch of players that had little spirit and turned them into a really competitive solid side who would fight hard in almost every game. That’s what the game is all about at the end of the day.
Add to that the clear signs that he liked the club and wasnt doing what he was doing with the aim to move on to bigger things but to make us bigger and build something at Newcastle (all of this underneath an Ashley regime)
For me nobody else has had the level of ability to improve our club and desire to stay and do just that. Which is pretty depressing when you type it out and realise that person is now gone..
stu mel
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #51Newcastle arnt a laughing stock MA is. He will have is head in the sand. Bye Rafan thank for keeping us a float
Mindshaft
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #52Clearly it makes sense for betting companies to have rumours and favourites so everyone throws money on them, then fat ash installs a noname manager and they get to keep all the cash – not that difficult to work out why bookies always win but still some people bet in the hope of breaking the bookies
JohnReese
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #53Rob, I could see it working in that Mourinho really isn’t hands on with the academy side of a club. Grant could potentially be a go between, between Mourinho and Dawson in terms of players being ready to step up etc. Whilst also managing the wider scouting set up within the club and being in charge of actually negotiating deals for players.
Like you said, there could be issues there with potentially Arab owners so it’s completely hypothetical.
c-dog
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #54Denis Wise would surely have some form connection to Avram Grant
It’s happening!
IconicNumber9
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #55So ashley was the one to end contract talks with Rafa. Not sure what that means for the future of the club but then again nobody is sure of anything where NUFC is concerned.
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #56Jib
What the funk has Keith Bishop got to say about all this?
Ron Knee
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #57Fede Fernandez
?Verified account @pajarofernandez
Thanks Rafa. I think you and the staff deserve different way to end your time as a Newcastle manager. All the people around Newcastle love you. All the best for the future.
Muz
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:40 PM
Comment #58Right, think about it. As $hitty as Mike Ashley has been as an owner, nothing he’s done could be considered as financially ruinous as what’s happened today. Everything he does is calculated and where he’s gambling he sees the reward in the risk. On the two occasions we’ve been relegated he’s funded the club to an immediate return; not many clubs manage that once let alone twice. (and before anyone jumps on me, this isn’t me singing his praises, i’m trying to make a point) Those relegation’s though stemmed from several bad decisions rolled that snowballed. Todays announcement, given how close we are to pre-season, is an effing nuke going off if he intends to keep the club.
He’s an arse but I can’t see the logic to the move. If he was annoyed about Rafas intransigence when it comes to his contract he could have pulled away weeks ago. Rafa hadn’t signed it over a month ago, why wait to blow it up this close to pre-season? Even if he intended to give a crap manager the job, he could have lined one up at the end of the season.
For me, it all points to a takeover that is imminent. 26th June is the 12 year anniversary that he got 100% the stake of the club. Be nice if it was timed to coincide 😉
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:41 PM
Comment #59While we’re talking conspiracy theories (Grant/Mourinho) who do you reckon built the pyramids?
Did Elvis really shoot JFK and was Marilyn Monroe a man?
Mund
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:41 PM
Comment #60JP
Good lad mate was dreading you might be Xbox lol I have a PS4 I always played battlefield as well mate but didn’t like recent one. Been smashing a lot of apex legends lately. Do you mind if I add ya?
Novocastrian66
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Comment #61I wonder if Charnley will be taking preseason training next week. Only at Newcastle. What an absolute joke. Hopefully things will improve but I doubt it.
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Comment #62Just popped on the rose tints, and looks to me like the new owners have a long term vision for the club with a footballing ethos throughout the club driven by a DOF, Rafa and his one man control model didn’t fit this model, so Ashley had to be the fall guy. Got him out of the country before the announcement, to avoid bumping into any toon fans in the street (apparently he’s taken the family to antarctica). Deals being tied up before the announcement. Happy days.
Sheikh Rafa
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Comment #63Re, making this announcement 1 week before season ticket renewal deadline.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they simply preempted a statement from Rafa announcing his departure himself.
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:45 PM
Comment #64Always look on the bright side of life…
West Lancs Geordie
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:46 PM
Comment #65Arma Dillo lined up to be next NUFC manager!
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:47 PM
Comment #66Has there been any word from Rafa?
Even a two fingered salute to Ashley?
Ron Knee
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:48 PM
Comment #67Alan Shearer
?Verified account @alanshearer
A world class manager. A manager who performed so well in very difficult circumstances. A manager who understood the fans. Thanks and good luck @rafabenitezweb you were brilliant for the Toon. #SHAMBLES
Nufc-83
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:49 PM
Comment #68Must admit I had my pants pulled down there and was wrong!! Shocking news.
magscar
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:50 PM
Comment #69So Rafa apparently didn’t know today’s statement was coming – was that timing only or content?
Various reports are indicating something came to a head in last 24 hours despite weekend reports already saying he was gone.
Will we ever know exactly what happened – still looking like an Ashley hand overplayed and in pique pulls plug?
There is something in BZG having other plans and Rafa knowing this but also as likely the 1 year only contract was only worth considering IF and only IF BZG takeover was on and in the offing.
AS some have said how quick new manager is appointed , how long for and what calibre may give an indication as to closeness of any takeover.
Until Rafa does sign somewhere else nothing to say he won’t be available to BZG but clearly his successor appointed quickly or club drifting through pre-season make this less likely.
Take it locals are up at SJP to show their feelings so will watch on SSN at 6:00
offthelinebydabizas
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:52 PM
Comment #70Well well well he’s only gone and done it again. I’d love to know why Ashley has let Rafa leave? Which is what he’s done today. Rafa isn’t daft enough to ask for too much if it isn’t there. The positivity was there from the players and the fans in unison under Rafa. Let’s hope the backlash from all sides make the slug sell up this time. Whoever comes in to manage the club in Rafa absence is on a hiding to nothing. It could be sir Alex Brian clough ferguson and they would get it after their first mistake.
c-dog
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:53 PM
Comment #71The facts
Rondon is gone
Rafa is gone
Ashley remains
magscar
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:53 PM
Comment #72things can’t be so bad if PS4 and computer games are worth discussing today – slow news days again 🙂
Toon Cat
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:53 PM
Comment #73Steve Wraith on twitter saying Rafa wasn’t told by the club they were going to announce his keaving. The first he heard was a friend calling and telling him it was on Sky. The Ashley regime being as classy as ever ..
geordietom
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:53 PM
Comment #74as far as i can tell by every one’s reaction to Rafa going are really pissed off. every one apart from TOON22. he’s loving it . just think another 2 or 3 years of the Green one’s jabbering on about Shills PR hiya ect ect …
also no 1 saw this coming is there a reason behind the FAT ONE getting rid of Rafa ..?
Toon Cat
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:54 PM
Comment #75* leaving
geordietom
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:55 PM
Comment #76Magscar…
i’am playing Days Gone on the ps4 mate good game takes me mind off the SNAKE of a owner we have …
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:55 PM
Comment #77Trying the frog tints for size. Looks like Ashley has been playing games again. Pissed off some more buyers. He’ll be selling Almiron, Longstaff, Shelvey, Perez, Hayden, Ritchie, Lascelles. No new manger in, give some at the club a chance till christmas. Pocket all the money from the tv money and player sales and hope for the best. Pockets best part of 250M for the season. If we go down, invests the parachute payment and hopes. If fail to get promoted the sells to Kenyon. Job done.
lochinvar
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:56 PM
Comment #78Well if something has gone wrong in the last 24 hours we will know about it because Rafa will be out of contract and can say and write what he likes as this is still for the moment a free country.
One good thing to come out of this will be when Rafa’s next book comes out it will be a best seller.
At least that’s the Christmas present sorted.
Average_Contents
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:57 PM
Comment #79Can’t bring myself to eat my lasagne I feel that sick.
I love lasagna too..
West Lancs Geordie
Jun 24, 2019 at 5:59 PM
Comment #80Question How many fat ..ats does it take to ruin a football club?
Answer – Just the one!