Alan Shearer has followed his two articles in the Sun with a personal thanks to Rafa Benitez. He also reiterates his stance, and that of the entire Toon Army, that Rafa Benitez is perfect for Newcastle.
This is what Alan has tweeted earlier today:
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
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) June 24, 2019
Alan will be as shocked as the rest of us with the developments of yesterday and has taken the mantle of being a spokesperson for this club and it’s fans. This is a display of leadership that is befitting of the club’s former captain.
Alan had remained silent until his Sunday night article imploring the club to give the fans an update on the situation with Rafa’s contract.
It was not long after that the silence was broken in what appears to be a spurt of anger by the club’s owner.
Further reports have suggested that Rafa was unaware that this statement was being released. Could he have maybe been waiting on a twelfth-hour negotiation breakthrough?
He may have even just been waiting it out with the hopes of signing but using a delay tactic to signal his dissatisfaction at the progress of the talks.
We may never know the full story of how we have gotten to this point. Maybe there is a sliver of hope that both Ashley and Rafa can still mend this.
Can they still come together for the sake of the club after a few days of realizing what they both will lose?
Or is the more likely scenario that this relationship is beyond repair?
I know it sounds absurd to even think of a last-minute reversal of fortune but the situation the club finds itself in at the moment is also an absurdity.
110 comments so far
ChicoUSA
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Comment #1Ashley Out! BZG In!
Bigjim67
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:05 PM
Comment #2Ashley is an arrogant, pigheaded tool. He will never go back to Rafa and agree to give him funds to enable the club to compete.
Shearer is right, shambles.
Mag :P
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:05 PM
Comment #3That midhat kidwai thing on twitter is really interesting.
Seems like it could be plausible but it’s hardly being picked up.
Which is usually a red herring.
Hail Wor Ashley
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:06 PM
Comment #4Hail Wor Ashley
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:06 PM
Comment #201
Hello, people.
So Rafa has gone. I thought he would accept the reported £50m plus player sales, but I guess there are other factors too like wage structure which seem to have been sticking points. Altogether the package wasn’t to his satisfaction.
Takeover won’t happen.
Always thought so and said as much way back when it started on here. Ashley will not surrender his SD advertising vehicle easily – only targeting SD and helping bring about the share price tumbling further with a direct causal link to his association to Newcastle United will get rid of him sharpish.
You have to realise that is what the club primarily is. A billboard and PR for Sports Direct. Ki and Muto were only signed because they struck the balance between decent players/low cost and most importantly big players for their national teams from Asia, with Sports Direct expanding into that market in the last couple of years. Same reason for Fun88 sponsorship.
SD share price has taken a beating – only about 30% of their all time high – due to the various scandals and MAs conduct, but if you want rid of him you have to find a way to drive it down further whilst it is vulnerable.
One way would be empty stadiums.
Most supporters cannot do joined up thinking – make excuses like gate receipts are only 20% of revenue these days, will only hurt the team etc, but the knock-on effect of boycotts will be Mike Ashley and consequently Sports Direct cast in a negative light which will cause the real damage to him. He will quickly sell if there becomes a causal link between NUFC boycott > him being the cause > Sports Direct becoming part of that story.
If people can’t do that then more realistically I’d like Gerrard to become manager. Think he would like the challenge, would give more youngsters a chance and his connections with Liverpool would be handy for loans.
Would love to see Gerrard help Longstaff realise his potential.
Would also like to see us go 4-3-3 next season with a midfield trio of
____Shelvey——-Hayden
_________Longstaff
Regardless of who is manager/owner..
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:07 PM
Comment #5Jail,
Let’s be realistic,
Without massive investment in the next 2/3 years – at least two to three hundred million in fees and god knows what in wages – our chances under any manager of finishing in the top 6 are pretty remote. And there is no guarantee – as Everton have proved – that spending that type of money gets you there.
So, unless we get a takeover from someone prepared to spend that level of money, my expectations (not hopes) are that we’ll comfortably stay in the Prem and have a good cup run each season and pray that we win one.
Playing entertaining attacking football would be a bonus although not a necessity – as Rafa proved. KK proved that doing that doesn’t guarantee a trophy either.
I would expect a younger manager with more to prove would have the same level of expectation but I’d also like to think he would have the confidence and ambition to believe that he could do a Leicester and pull off another miracle.
Bigjim67
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:10 PM
Comment #6Hail@4
That would work but we all know the stadium will never be empty.
ToonRich
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:10 PM
Comment #7Mag 😛 whats more interesting is that he didnt know it was all over twitter…and that he studied at the same uni as me!!
jane
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Comment #8“Can they still come together for the sake of the club after a few days of realizing what they both will lose?”
they could say there had been a mis-understanding. we would believe that.
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Comment #9G2 other bookmakers are offering odds on Rafa as next manager if the posters who placed bets on it are to be believed.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Comment #10BillSon – the fact that you accept to “comfortably stay in the Prem and have a good cup run each season” as a good season just goes to show how much ambition that FatAsh has taken out of the club.
As of May this year we are No 20 on the Forbes list of most valuable football clubs ……..
Surely a good cup run and EPL survival is not what we should be aiming for!
Mund
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:16 PM
Comment #11Tony how has what I’ve said been disproved?
I said got told takeover was happening. Still this hasn’t been disproved as yet even tho it looks bleak. Interesting things going around today. But until I hear it’s off I’ll still have hope.
I then got told there would be a meeting today with Rafa included. Whatever this is about I don’t know and I’m like the rest of you can I believe it. I didn’t say there would be a club announcement i said i got told I’d find out tomorrow nigh, however and if ever that may be again don’t know.
I don’t claim to know anything just passing info on.
This club is my life the wife even says i’d always pick NUFC over her and the kids any day. Which is probably true in most cases. I love the club and with that the fans. Born and raised in Middlesbrough if I ever meet a fellow Newcastle fan I’m all over them like a rash. I’ve got no desire to mislead any of you I just wanted to share what i know.
magscar
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:18 PM
Comment #12OO and G2 on last trread – about to press submit and saw dreaded “next post”= at least haven’t annoyed Jail with repost 🙂
Interesting point but I can’t immediately think of who you could mean of those I am aware of on here – from Shirebrook/ JazzyP to Bobby via carltoon, Charlie, Martoon and hibbitt off top of my head ( apologies to others)
Who exactly are the ST first to come on moaners?
So extending argument having a ST means no moaning? No protesting before during or after matches?
I wonder how many of the factions making up The Magpie Group who are our best hope of galvanising mass protests in and around ground and against SD and Ashley directly have them?
Too general and easy a claim to make for me.
Boom Sheikh-Sheikh-Sheikh the Toon
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:22 PM
Comment #13So….. have we heard any news about offers for wantaway Hayden?
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:23 PM
Comment #14OK Mund. I think you passed on something that you believed but I also believe it is my right to question it. Didn’t you say there would be a takeover announcement last week? I may be wrong since so much has gone on in the last few days. And you said there was a meeting today.
I just have this bell go off in my head when anybody passes on information from the man doon the pub, their brother-in-law or uncle.
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:26 PM
Comment #15Actually, I have made my case and don’t want to be told off again by the blog Policeman.
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:27 PM
Comment #16Mund
This is the 8th times he’s sold us,if your being picky the 4th time in any kind of serious fashion
Mansours
Staverley
Kenyon
The Arabs
Every times someone like yourself has posted stuff to prove it’s happening ,even if you ignore the other 4 it’s enough times now to see it’s always utter bollix
chancel be a fine thing
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:27 PM
Comment #17foggy, In answer to your question I’ll take 2 guesses:
1- deal is all agreed, Ashley is feeding the press info about other buyers/talks ongoing/going to take 6 weeks etc, Rafa’s contract will come to an end, caretaker boss installed, after July 1st transfer window opens propper, once deals are tied up BOOM sale announced, new players announced, Rafa as new manager announced.
2- Sale agreed, signed over/announced 30 jun, Rafa in as DOF to set up Newcastle to be run as a FOOTBALL club, Mourinho in as manager.
Foggy Hall to Timbuktu
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:27 PM
Comment #18I think the twotter things is really interesting
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:28 PM
Comment #19TOON22 look i’am gonna put this plain and simple . things are a bit raw on here at the moment . so if you can take a backward step and change your tune instead of gloating . theres no need for you to carry on with your rubbish posts . so you back off then i will . easy as that …
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Comment #20As I’ve said, you’ve joined a long and illustrious list of posters who have spouted utter twaddle about this years fakeover
Congratulations
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:29 PM
Comment #21Froggy
Hiya
Mund
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:30 PM
Comment #22Tony
No mate that’s wasn’t me I’ve never said there would be any takeover announcement just that it was happening.
Yea got told there was a meeting today. What I actually asked was. This is the txt
Hiya Steve it’s Craig didn’t want to ring figured you be busy when are you not ? just wanted to ask with the Rafa news today does this mean takeover has gone quiet maybe gone all together? Have you heard owt?
The reply
Big meeting tomorrow by tomorrow night I think you will know
I then said
He has gone tho hasn’t he? Club announced he has left and all his staff. What would he be meeting about?
The reply
I don’t know but despite what club statement says there contracts expire 30th they have something in pipeline
Time will tell
I totally understand any skepticism I have it myself with reading any others who put out info I guess we have fat man to blame for how we conceive stuff nowadays.
Foggy Hall to Timbuktu
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:31 PM
Comment #23Chancel that’s the spirit!
Optimistic Oryx
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:33 PM
Comment #24Magscar
I’m not naming individual posters theres enough tension on here as it is..
Its obvious who’s willing to go and protest or do something and its easy to spot the ones who want others to do the protesting for them.
Theres been groups screaming out for volunteers etc and not a whisper from many despite Ashley’s MO for the last 12 years. However a manager they all like leaves and all hells going to break loose.
I find it embarrassing that Nufc fans would be happy for the club to be run like it has for the last
12years as long as it was Rafa managing it, which has to be the case by the reaction of people, not bothered about zero ambition.
As I’ve said if you’re not willing to protest against Ashley then you should swallow your medicine and STFU, I dont care if you go to games or dont theres still ways to protest.
toon22
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:33 PM
Comment #25Mund
Remember when that Indian guy bought us,didnt bother even listing him
Thought it fare to give MA one
LoL
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:34 PM
Comment #26No Mund: can’t pin the blame on Fatty. It is social media and the 24 hour news cycle. Hearsay becomes fact and Trump becomes President.
jon
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:35 PM
Comment #27Pre sale celebratory point time.
🙂
Mund
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Comment #28Tony
I agree mate but i meant how we conceive Newcastle and everything that comes with it. That’s down to fat man.
Mindshaft
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #29There’s some people on here living in cloud cuckoo land.
1: Rafa is gone – 100% he won’t be coming back under Ashley’s regime
2: Hayden has an agreement with the club to leave which he still expects the club to honour
3: It’s a certainty we will be fighting relegation this coming season
4: It’s also highly likely we’ll make an early exit from cups
6: I’d say the takeover is a long way from happening ( if ever)
7: No manager with ambition will come, it’ll highly likely be a Pulis/Hughes type who’s remit will be to avoid relegation
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #30Jail …
just read your post about me your such a dick at times …
jail biggest moaner the blog …
droppy in Wallsend
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:38 PM
Comment #31Mund
You shared what you heard in good faith, you even said yourself you didn’t fully believe so don’t let them get you down mate.
Foggy Hall
Just seems too good to be true mate.
I’d message him but given the way some on here go on I wouldn’t share a response if I got one.
Ajs22398
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:40 PM
Comment #32It’s kind of curious to see how many posters who are saying what a miss Rafa is were the same ones saying he should leave last year when we had that first 10 fixtures.
Mund
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:42 PM
Comment #33Droppy
Cheers mate it’s just hard not to defend yourself when you know your speaking the truth. I guess being a new poster I’ve fell for all the daft traps a newcomer should expect
Mindshaft
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:42 PM
Comment #34Mund: well it’s unlikely there was a meeting and even more unlikely we’re going to know anything more by tonight …or tomorrow or day after or week after or month after or ….. You get the idea
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Comment #35hiya frog …
Tony Baloney
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Comment #36Mund: must have been the other guy, Elmanio. I am not trying to wind you up. I think you understand that. I am just very wary of believing any rumours about NUFC and feel it is OK to question them. Others on here seem to think that anything said on here should never ever be questioned as that is not good blog etiquette. Each to their own.
jon
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Comment #37I must not stop until it happens, then I can go and have post sale celebratory drink.
😀
geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Comment #38geordietom
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:28 PM
Comment #19
TOON22 look i’am gonna put this plain and simple . things are a bit raw on here at the moment . so if you can take a backward step and change your tune instead of gloating . theres no need for you to carry on with your rubbish posts . so you back off then i will . easy as that …
lesh
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Comment #39Tony Baloney
You won’t learn will you.
While you ‘also believe it is my right to question’, doesn’t it occur that it might be the way you ask your questions? Try applying a little tact to your questioning – unless you’d prefer to behave like Trump.
Mund
Jun 25, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Comment #40Mindshaft
It is what it is mate