Rafa Benitez and Lee Charnley are following BT’s advice and know that it’s good to talk, according to the Chronicle.
In a sport driven by ego, the Spaniard has been quick to let it be known that the club is not run by one person; there’s a consensus about what is happening at St James Park in order to return to the Premier League.
Despite his pleas, it’s apparent that Benitez calls most of the shots:
“It’s not about a level of control.
“People, they don’t know me. I like to have a very good relationship with the secretary and the managing director…
“So I talk almost every day with Lee Charnley and we discuss about what we want to do.
“I talk with the scouting department and I am in contact with them. I talk with my staff and I am in contact with them.
“I like to share my opinions and receive the opinions of the others.
“Then in the end we will have everything clear between me and Lee and the communication is good.”
“It’s not about being the boss. It’s just to make sure that we do what we want to do and we try the best for the club.
“Lee is sensible, I am sensible and we will do what we have to do to improve the squad.”
It’s an understandable line of questioning.
Before Benitez’s arrival last season, the club was a shambles as far as management was concerned. Public proclamations of support were hard to believe as the XI crumbled on the pitch week after week.
A poor summer’s investments reinforced the view that “you don’t know what you’re doing” was equally apt for McClaren and the board.
That’s changed. Benitez has given the club a fresh dynamic. This is a man who has worked at some of the best clubs in the world and won’t accept amateurism.
Look at his phraseology: “I talk” followed by “I talk”; he welcomes opinions but seems to have the strength of character to make his decisions and stand by them.
It’s why retaining his services may yet prove to be the best bit of business the club does this summer.
