There is no doubt that Rafa Benitez is the best thing that has happened to Newcastle United since the great Sir Bobby Robson. His presence has given us hope of a brighter future and, despite Mike Ashley’s being back to his old tricks, Benitez has admitted why he will battle on as NUFC boss.
Benitez already describes Tyneside to be “like home” and has admitted that his relationship with the fans and support from his family is pushing him on to stay and fight on at the helm, despite his frustrations with the board heightening after a disappointing summer.
Here is what Benitez has had to say on the Newcastle fans, claiming the Toon Army are ‘the motivation in everything’ he does:
“The North East already feels like home for me.
“I am grateful to have such a positive relationship with our fantastic supporters. They are always behind us and played a big part in our success last season.
“All I can do is continue to work hard every day and try my best to give them a team to be proud of.
“They are the motivation in everything that we do and I am really glad we could make them happy last season by winning the title.
“We know that this season will be tough in the Premier League but, with the fans on our side, it gives us a better chance of achieving our targets.
“I was made to feel so welcome by everybody at the club, the supporters and the city from my very first day. That was a big factor in my decision to stay last summer.
Benitez then opened up about the influence of his family, revealing how his daughters pushed him to stay and give something back to his adoring fans:
“My family wanted me to stay in England after time away in Italy and then Spain, and it is true that my daughters were showing me what the fans were saying on social media at the time.
“They were looking on different social networks and saying, ‘You have stay and win for these people – the fans love you here!”
The relationship between Rafa and us the fans is like no other and it’s fair to say we are probably the only thing that has stopped him from walking away this summer.
Whilst the bond will keep Benitez hear for now, it is fair to say that this will not be enough to keep him in the job if Ashley continues to break promises and limit our chances of progressing.
For now though, this is a welcome piece of positivity from the Spaniard!
