Rafa Benitez openly states what he requires from Mike Ashley if he is to stay at NUFC

Rafael Benitez has spoken openly about his future at Newcastle United, suggesting it is totally dependent on the ambition of Mike Ashley.

Benitez has insisted that he is ‘quite confident that everything will be fine’, but has spoken out about his requirements from the NUFC owner moving forward.

When asked about his future and relationship with Mike Ashley, Benitez said the following:

“It is very simple – he is the owner, so it depends on him what we will do”.

‘He needs to know my ideas and I need to know what he is thinking and we have to talk about everything.”

“Obviously it’s very simple – how much money have we to spend? What can we do if we sell players? Which players will stay, which players will leave?”

‘But it’s also about making sure we have the same target to win. The way to achieve that is, if his way and my way are the same, then fine, perfect.”

“Do I have a decision to make about the future? I am quite confident that everything will be fine.”

‘I’m not the kind of manager saying “I want this – and that is it”. I will try to argue why you need this and that,”

“I think he wants to win. I’m sure he wants to win games. If we win trophies, it is always positive. It’s about making sure we have the same target to win.”

“The way to achieve that is if his way and my way are the same. Then, fine, perfect. I am a professional, he’s a businessman and he knows his business, so it’s simple.”

Given Benitez usually keeps his cards close to his chest, this is quite an honest and revealing interview from the Spaniard.

He talks openly about what he needs to know from Ashley, stating his approach to the matter is very simple, suggesting he will almost certainly stay should he and the NUFC owner agree upon a plan to bring success to the club over the coming years.

Part 1 of the ‘Rafalution’ was completed when Newcastle confirmed their promotion to the Premier League earlier this week, but this will just be the start of Benitez’s vision for the club.

Part 2 may be consolidation in the Premier League, part 3 to break the top 10 and part 4 may be to get the club back into Europe. Being a Champions League winner and manager of several top clubs in Europe, Rafa will have big plans for Newcastle, but will know that the only way to put this plan into action is to have full backing from the owner, who must be on board with his vision.

It is rather unbearable that the future of our saviour, Rafa Benitez, lies in the hands of the unpredictable Mike Ashley.

We can only pray he does the right thing.

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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