Former Lyon boss Bruno Genesio claims he was set to replace Rafa Benitez over the summer – until a proposed takeover at Newcastle ‘fell through’
These are some huge claims – and ones he doesn’t need to make now he’s managing Beijing Guoan out in China – but they seem particularly interesting after shock claims from France emerged in July stating he was ‘in Newcastle’ and ready to take charge as the club was ‘close to being sold to a Dubai billionaire’.
A few months on, Genesio has now come out and revealed all, calming he was “meant to sign with Newcastle” but didn’t because the sale of the club “fell through”:,
“Everything went really quickly, because I was meant to sign with Newcastle, but the sale then fell through. I then decided to take some time off for myself, but towards the end of July, I received a phone call from my agents with an opportunity to go manage in China at Beijing Guoan.
“It just all went quickly. Forty-eight hours later I was on a plane, and four days later I was on the touchline for my first game”.
So, if these comments are anything to go by, it seems there was plans in place for a takeover to go through at some stage over the summer, but at least one proposed deal appears to have fallen through.
The question is, was Genesio linked to the Bin Zayed Group’s ‘bid’ to buy the club, or was he eyed by a different part all together?
Genesio may be not be Rafa Benitez, but it’s so frustrating to hear in the position we now find ourselves in a few months on from a disastrous summer.
After all, there’s no comparison between Bruno Genesio and Dubai billionaires and Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley!
