The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder has insisted that there should be no cause for concern just yet regarding contract talks between Mike Ashley and Rafa Benitez – believing an announcement should arrive by Friday this week.
Ryder also hints that Rafa’s ‘meticulous’ nature could be a reason why discussions have continued through the weekend and beyond, insisting that the Spaniard will want ‘everything down in writing’ before he signs over the dotted line.
He admits that there will be genuine cause for concern if we get towards the end of the week with no news, but feels things ‘should’ be ‘sorted out’ by Friday.
Here’s what the Chronicle’s Chief Sports Writer’s had to say about the situation when speaking during a Facebook Live this week:
“So far, nobody has heard too much coming out from either party, with both sides having been very careful in terms of leaking anything because they want this to be a positive story – they want this to be positive news.
“Should we be worried? Maybe not yet, because Rafa is so meticulous that he wants to get everything down in writing. Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley, on some things, haven’t been very quick to get information out to the public.
“I think if we get towards the end of the week and this still isn’t resolved, then there might be more cause for concern.
“But, for the next 48 hours, for the next two or three days, I think we may have to just wait that little bit longer to get the big story everyone wants.”
“You’d like to think that, by Friday at least, this is sorted out. We need to know which way we’re going to go.
The fact they are sitting down and talking is of course a positive sign, but this ‘update’ is perhaps reassuring for those who believe the lack of news signals a lack of progress during talks.
That could be the case, but there will be a huge number of details for Rafa Benitez to run through – especially when he has finally had a chance to be in contact with the club’s main decision maker; a man he’s rarely afforded to opportunity to meet.
Here’s hoping for good news before the week is out – or things may be looking a little ominous as far as Rafa’s future is concerned.
He’s a chronicle reporter, not a club reporter. A **** one too
JAY JAY(Quote)
Despite a normally optimistic nature I find that a healthy dose of pessimism helps keep my sanity whenever the toon is the topic. So I believe that discussions will continue into June and Rafa will not sign because he will not get the assurances he asks for. Basically he is saying to Ashley if all you want is to avoid relegation each season you need a different manager. I hope I am wrong but…?….
Barry Hutton(Quote)