I was reading a piece by the Chronicle’s Chris Waugh today and came across a line referring to our four-day venture to Spain that summed up just how tight Mike Ashley really is:
“The powers that be were concerned about the cost of the trip – with the hiring of a plane to charter Newcastle’s flight coming in at more than £15,000.”
We know the board have haggled over many a transfer fee, refusing to pay an extra million or two for a player who no doubt went on to shine and be worth treble the amount, however this just shows how Ashley and co. make every effort to penny pinch.
Not only was Rafa handed nothing but loans in January (thankfully two our of three have proved to be very successful so far), but now he is questioning the cost of a trip that may be beneficial towards our survival this season – something that is worth in excess of £100m to ‘his’ football club.
Here’s the snippet from the Chronicle, highlighting how Ashley was ‘concerned’ about the cost of the recent trip to Alicante when it was first put to him by Rafa Benitez:
“At Ashley’s Newcastle, the only thing which has ever been clear has been the constant desire to streamline the club and save costs – and it is has often proven counterintuitive in the long run.
“Take United’s trip to Spain last week for example. When Benitez first proposed the sojourn, the powers that be were concerned about the cost of the trip – with the hiring of a plane to charter Newcastle’s flight coming in at more than £15,000.
“For Benitez, this logic was flawed. Premier League survival is worth well in excess of £100million to Newcastle – so quibbling over the price of flights when the manager you have hired believes this trip can aid United’s fight against the drop makes no sense whatsoever.”
No wonder Rafa struggles to convince him to do permanent deals at anything above £5m when you see him haggling over a £15,000 flight and four-day training camp!
A glimpse of what Benitez is up against.
I very much doubt that Ashley is even aware of how much the charter flight to Spain cost.
Even the most paranoid, distrusting micromanaging owner would not be interested in that kind of expenditure. This would be handled entirely by Charnley who, worst case scenario, would inform Ashley of the estimated total cost of the entire trip as a whole.
Next you’ll be telling us that Ashley suggested players pack their own sandwiches, rather than paying Ryan Air prices.
Its all very well criticizing Ashley, but what’s not been mentioned is the fact that a couple of months ago Benitez thought that warm weather training was an unnecessary inconvenience.
So what happened to change his mind now?
Rob Brown(Quote)
Yep – you were right – unbelievable
Rob Brown(Quote)
rob brown-has ashley paid you to comment or you after a job? 😆
jim(Quote)