Some interesting claims coming from the Senitel today, who suggest that a manager-less Stoke City are ‘monitoring the situation’ of Rafa Benitez has they look for Mark Hughes’ successor.
Essentially, the Senitel are to Stoke what the Chronicle is to Newcastle United and whilst these are some bold statements to be making by the local paper, this just isn’t going to happen.
Before we discuss why, here’s what they’ve had to say in a report on their manager hunt today:
“Stoke’s hierarchy is also aware of continued murmurings about Rafa Benitez’s apparent unhappiness at Newcastle.
“It was believed that Benitez would not even consider leaving Newcastle until seeing how much money he was allowed to spend by the end of the January transfer window.
“But stories continue to seep out of Tyneside about his evident fury behind the scenes at not getting his way on spending while a club takeover drags on.”
Now, Rafa Benitez took the plunge to manage a mid-table side in NUFC, so you may wonder how we can just palm off his potential move to Stoke, but I think (to our core) we have something so many of our Premier League ‘rivals’ don’t have. Genuine untapped potential.
Yes Stoke have a better playing squad right now and perhaps an owner who’d throw a bit more money at it then a certain Mike Ashley has, but this just isn’t a move Benitez would take in the position he’s in. I imagine he’s turned down far bigger opportunities than Stoke City over the last 18 months in a bid to finish what he started with NUFC.
The below statement may seem a little naive to an unbiased eye, but I genuinely believe that Benitez is only at NUFC to realise our untapped potential – something several mid-table clubs don’t have.
Rafa linked to Stoke.
Let's be honest here. We were all shocked when Benitez came to #NUFC. We may be ridiculed over this, so be it, but we/he knows the potential #NUFC has.
The likes of Stoke, Palace, WBA – he's never going to touch them with a ten foot pole.— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) January 10, 2018
Because Rafa saw the potential in this club. I think that's what pulled him in the first place. Then WE, not MA, had him stay on. I don't think Rafa just looks at the money thrown at him. If takeover happens, he gets a chance to fulfill that. If not – different story. #NUFC https://t.co/SaY4Grq5vE
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) January 10, 2018
Benitez has previously stated that he won’t simply walk away from the job – and even if he broke that promise, I don’t see it being for Stoke City.
Why is it amusing?????????
The people who own Stoke City would back him financially and contractually.
Lets hope not, but in our position I wouldn’t snigger..
BillytheFish(Quote)