Rafa Benitez has written a second blog post entitled “Differences and Similarities”. In the second paragraph he references Newcastle United and does speak of “a lack of project” and “unfulfilled promises”. However, the main thesis of the article is the differences and similarities of being a football manager in Europe compared to China. As you would expect, it is a very engaging article especially when he is talking about football.

Blog – From China – Differences and Similaritieshttps://t.co/R8LWPLHmoa#Blog #HongKong #Chongqing #Tianjin #Dalian #China #Difference #Similarities

— Rafa Benitez Web (@rafabenitezweb) August 4, 2019

He does however make the comments in reference to Mike Ashley but seems to want everyone, including Newcastle United fans, to move on. He closes the second paragraph with the following comments.

A lot of things kept us attached to the club, to the city, and to its fans, but a lack of project as well as unfulfilled promises meant we had to look forwards and follow a different path, as others such as Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan have done whilst continuing to be supported and to support the team. There’s nothing wrong with thinking about the past, but it’s also important to look to the future. For this reason, all I have left to say is that I truly wish the team and Steve Bruce the best for the following season.

He may have felt compelled to comment on the recent interview that Mike Ashley gave a few weeks ago. However, what we get from these comments is that Rafa does have some empathy for the situation that Steve Bruce is in. We gather that he does not want to be a point of contention between the divided fanbase.

We certainly miss Rafa Benitez and wish things could have worked out for him here. There were high hopes of him leading Newcastle United under a different owner. That is sadly not what has come to be.

However, all is not lost. Sometimes you have to concentrate on the positives of any situation. Right now, Newcastle have two local brothers who are coming through, an outstanding captain in Jamaal Lascelles, a team that gives it all for the shirt, and some really promising new signings.

We’ll see where we stand on Thursday evening. We may be in decent shape and we may not. But we hope for a few more incomings and that Steve Bruce and the lads will have a good season.