As reported by The Chronicle, Rafa Benitez and Alan Shearer sat down for a coffee a month ago, to discuss the future of Newcastle United.
The win against Leeds on Sunday was Newcastle’s ninth straight win in all competitions and the clubs record goal scorer, Alan Shearer, is full of praise for the clubs’ manager and board alike.
Shearer said: At last the hierarchy have allowed a manager to decide who he wants in and who he wants out,” the 46-year-old wrote in his weekly column in The Sun.
“[They’ve] allowed the manager to get on and manage.
“If, as I hope, we do go up [then] the board have to make sure this continues.
“They have to back him again and let him get on with it.
“This is too important a period, too big an opportunity to let go.
“I sat down with Rafa Benitez about a month ago for a cup of coffee and a chat.
“We talked about the area, the club, the fans. He loves all of it, particularly the passion and the people.
“He is desperate to be the man to turn this club around.
“It must be reminiscent for him of his time in Liverpool.
“I lived near there in Formby during my time at Blackburn and, like the North East, it is a place where people really love their football.
“Where the club is at the centre of the community, where what happens with the team can dictate a mood across the city.
“Right now that mood is buoyant. Things are looking good again.
“Newcastle has not had a manager of the level of Rafa for some time.
“Everyone seems to be on the same page. It has to stay that way.”
Positivity is the order of the day at the minute and not just for Shearer, with many fans believing that if Benitez can gain promotion with Newcastle, then he may be able to take Newcastle to the highest level that they have been at in years.
