Some worrying breaking news has arrived from Sky Sports, who state that West Ham are planning a move to take Rafa Benitez from Newcastle United – also claiming that co-owner David Sullivan remains on ‘good terms’ with the 58-year-old.
As Sky remind us in their latest piece, the Spaniard came very close to joining the Hammers in 2015, only for Real Madrid to prize him away at the last minute.
They also understand that West Ham’s co-owner David Sullivan remains on ‘good terms’ with Rafa, suggesting they could be ready to meet his £6m release clause.
BREAKING: West Ham are planning on making a move for Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez- Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/HqGuWqxHO5
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 16, 2018
To add fuel to the fire, @ExWHUemployee (who doesn’t get a lot wrong when it comes to West Ham) has also claimed that Rafa is their ‘number one’ choice to replace David Moyes, stating he is ‘not happy’ at Newcastle and will have his agents talk to the Hammers.
On a more positive note, I’m not convinced at all that Benitez would take the West Ham job – and neither are several in the media by the looks of things:
I’ve been asked and even if I hadn’t been, I’d say the same thing. Rafa Benitez is not the man or the manager I thought he was if he decides to take the West Ham job. Like swapping a faulty toaster for a fire which is about to have petrol poured on it
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) May 16, 2018
Rafa Benitez would have to be absolutely insane to go to West Ham – in fact anyone would with the current ownership.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 16, 2018
That won’t stop me worrying though. I don’t see him ending up at West Ham, but the more we fail to meet his demands and mess him about, the more he’ll be linked with a move away – and there’ll be plenty of interest.
Sort it out Ashley our watch our club (and your multi-million pound asset) crash and burn. There’d be one hell of a backlash if Benitez went to West Ham.
I am a West Ham fan who has always had a soft spot for NUFC. We have a lot in common at the moment, very passionate fans who deserve better and owners not fit to run our clubs. He might be on good terms with Sullivan but why would a decent man come to a club where the owners don’t even know how to spell decent let alone understand what it means. Unless they are promising all sort of things I think you are safe.
Julian Woodhouse(Quote)
It’s just press talk put out by a pair of idiots trying to appease a fan base who can’t stand them.
However be prepared for a real challenge to Rafa’s resolve over the summer when Ashley doesn’t come up with any transfer funds, and now demanding too much for the club scaring away all potential new investors.
I think Rafa will see out his last year, and if Ashley is still in the seat will wave goodbye at the end of next season with the Toon in Europe.
BillytheFish(Quote)