Rafa Benitez’s latest comments will be music to the ears of us Newcastle United fans, with the Spaniard declaring his ‘love’ for the club and city, hinting he may happy to remain on Tyneside beyond his current contract at St James’ Park.
Benitez’s current contract is set to expire at the end of next season, in the summer of 2018, and rumours have emerged this week that NUFC owner Mike Ashley is keen to meet with the 57-year old to open talks over extending his deal at the club.
The Chronicle report that there is yet to be any official contract talks between the Magpies chiefs and Benitez, however the gaffers latest comments have suggested he would be more than happy to stay on Tyneside:
“I’m very happy here and I love the city. It reminds of Liverpool because of the people.
“Scousers and Geordies are very similar. They work hard during the week and want to support their team.
“If I left Newcastle in the same way I did with Liverpool, I’ll be happy because that means we’ll have won some trophies!”
Brilliant to hear from Benitez once again, and hardly the words of a man who doesn’t see himself at the club in the years to come.
He seems settled in the area, has fallen in love with the club and even suggested that he hopes to leave Newcastle after winning some trophies – something we don’t expect to achieve under the Rafa-rebuild for a good few years yet!
As good as it all sounds, it will still come down to Rafa getting some form of assurance and backing from the board.
The past two windows have been concerning for the Benitez camp and those issues must be ironed out, however it’s great to see the gaffer speaking positively once again, giving us some hope to hold onto that he may well just stay on Tyneside for longer than we’ve been told to expect.
Of course he’s gonna stay, either way, with a substantial wage increase under Ashley or completely in charge with new owners, he’s no fool.
This is his big opportunity, to ride into the sunset alongside the fans and fully funded by mega-bucks new owners, as a regular top six EPL side and leave Liverpool in his dust.
Hey ! ya gotta keep the fans happy, they deserve it.
chuck(Quote)