West Ham have confirmed in the last few moments that David Moyes has left the club, and it has emerged since that Rafa Benitez is at the ‘top of their list’ as far as replacements go – but fear not NUFC fans.
It’s worrying to read and I have no doubt whatsoever that they hold strong interest in appointing the Spaniard, however there’s good reason to believe Benitez will not be joining the Hammers any time soon.
Firstly, Benitez stated during an interview this week that Newcastle are the “only club” he’s talking to. Yes things can change and he does have a £6m release clause, but, as Mark Douglas has stated below, West Ham have confirmed that their new manager will be appointed ‘within 10 days’ in their latest statement this lunchtime.
West Ham statement says manager appointed 'within ten days'. Suggests they have someone lined up…
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) May 16, 2018
If Newcastle were the only club Rafa was talking to just a few days ago, there’s no way he’s now in a position to be appointed at West Ham within ten days.
I also genuinely doubt that he’d swap Newcastle for West Ham. Yes they have a better playing squad and their owners might throw a bit of money at it from time to time, but Gold and Sullivan are perhaps even more erratic and unpredictable than Mike Ashley.
He may well be their ‘top target’ (even though Pellegrini, Fonseca and Emery are being strongly linked), however I can’t see it happening – for all the reasons mentioned above and below:
I will be amazed if Rafa Benitez comes to West Ham. Why would you swap one arsehole of a football club owner for two? #whufc
— Nathaniel John (@Nathaniel_John) May 14, 2018
Why do West Ham fans think Benitez would leave Newcastle to join West Ham? Smaller club with even worse owners, a stadium they don't own, deluded fan base and a worse team. Right.
— Talk Crystal Palace (@TalkCPFC) May 7, 2018
Rafa’s future is up in the air, so I’m not suggesting there’s no reason to be concerned this summer, but I just can’t see Benitez going to West Ham.