It has been confirmed in the last few moments that Spain boss Julen Lopetegui will step down after World Cup and become Real Madrid manager – with many fearing that Rafa Benitez could soon be offered the Spanish national job as a result.
It was announced recently that he’s expected to honour his contract and remain at the club for at least another season, however his long-term future is yet to be sorted out – which is something that appears to be slowing down our transfer progress.
Whilst it’s claimed he would not walk away from the club this summer (with Rafa being a man of his word), there is always the worry that he’d walk away if Mike Ashley continued to mess him about – and those fears are heightened when such a huge and tempting job offer could be about to come his way.
This is a worry – Spain boss Julen Lopetegui to step down after World Cup and become Real Madrid manager.
You know what that could mean after the World Cup if we're still messing Rafa around…??
Big incentive for us to get thing sorted now! #nufc #Spain #realmadrid https://t.co/gVlSz9CMYq
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) June 12, 2018
Let it be recorded: @sjamieson74 is the first person to fret that Real Madrid appointing Julian Lopetegui might mean "Spain come for Rafa".
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) June 12, 2018
Providing Ashley sticks to his word and gives him ‘every penny’ then I can’t see him leaving, however this opening makes it more important than ever to give Rafa what he wants and needs to bring success at NUFC.
I can’t see him being the type who’d want to leave club management just yet, but the Spanish national job would be an offer he may struggle to turn down – especially if he continues to be messed around by Mike Ashley.
Hopefully this gives the club a kick up the backside and serves as a big incentive to get things sorted out.
