Sky confirm Premier League rivals will make quick move for Rafa Benitez after axing current boss

According to Sky Sports, David Moyes look is now ‘unlikely to stay’ as West Ham manager this summer, with the club believed to have named Rafa Benitez as one of their top targets to replace him at the London Stadium.

The likes of Manuel Pellegrini, Marco Silva and Shakhtar’s Paulo Fonseca are all said to be on their shortlist,  but Benitez is a man they’ve been wanting for years now and there’s several suggesting that he’s their top priority.

For example, Graeme Bailey has claimed that he’s their top target should Moyes leave, stating that they are ready to offer him a  “sizeable budget” and pay his £6m release-clause.

That being said, I just don’t know why he’d swap Newcastle for West Ham. He’s built something at Newcastle but has become frustrated by our off-field issues, yet he’d be walking into a club that has plenty themselves.

Yes they have a more talented group of players at present, but it’s a smaller club, with similarly unpredictable owners, a stadium they don’t own, and a fan base incomparable to ours on so many levels.

I can see why they want him, but I would struggle to see why Rafa would leave the project he’s trying to build on at Newcastle for that.

It’s always a worry that his release clause could be activated and he could move on if Ashley doesn’t give him what he needs at NUFC, but I just can’t see West Ham being his next move.

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

7 thoughts on “Sky confirm Premier League rivals will make quick move for Rafa Benitez after axing current boss

  1. The fact that West Ham don’t own their stadium is totally irrelevant as to whether Rafa would move there. In terms of that stadium, no matter what all of it’s knockers say, it’s still one of the best stadia in the league, and 15% bigger than SJP too – and they fill it every week. Their new manager will be given a fairly talented squad with youth coming through, a sizeable budget and a big pay packet – and will be based in London, which is undoubtedly attractive to some foreign coaches. In terms of the fan base – they’re just as passionate as the Toon and the numbers that follow West Ham away from home is comparable to NUFC. Agreed, both clubs have ‘interesting’ ownership but it’s clear that West Ham is being put in the shop window by Gold and Sullivan who will probably sell up for a tidy profit. All in all, an attractive proposition for most managers, let alone Rafa.

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  2. John Turner:
    The fact that West Ham don’t own their stadium is totally irrelevant as to whether Rafa would move there. In terms of that stadium, no matter what all ofit’s knockers say, it’s still one of the best stadia in the league, and 15% bigger than SJP too – and they fill it every week. Their new manager will be given a fairly talented squad with youth coming through, a sizeable budget and a big pay packet – and will be based in London, which is undoubtedly attractive to some foreign coaches. In terms of the fan base – they’re just as passionate as the Toon and the numbers that follow West Ham away from home is comparable to NUFC. Agreed, both clubs have ‘interesting’ ownership but it’s clear that West Ham is being put in the shop window by Gold and Sullivan who will probably sell up for a tidy profit. All in all, an attractive proposition for most managers, let alone Rafa.

    I agree John, it is clear Ashley will sell up as soon as anyone gets near his inflated asking price and until new buyers come in Rafa knows there will be lack of investment. Unbelievable what he has done with essentially a championship squad, I’m am sure West Ham seems a far better option to him for all the obvious reasons as with us they have huge potential but they have the funds available for Rafa to build a team that challenges for Champions league football. Thanks Rafa and all the best

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  3. Rafa does not have a release clause ,so if Westham want him they would have too pay too get him .if Rafa leaves, its in his contract that he would have to pay the rest of his contract back , Ashley would then demand compensation from Westham also for stealing our Rafa.

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  4. John Turner:
    The fact that West Ham don’t own their stadium is totally irrelevant as to whether Rafa would move there. In terms of that stadium, no matter what all ofit’s knockers say, it’s still one of the best stadia in the league, and 15% bigger than SJP too – and they fill it every week. Their new manager will be given a fairly talented squad with youth coming through, a sizeable budget and a big pay packet – and will be based in London, which is undoubtedly attractive to some foreign coaches. In terms of the fan base – they’re just as passionate as the Toon and the numbers that follow West Ham away from home is comparable to NUFC. Agreed, both clubs have ‘interesting’ ownership but it’s clear that West Ham is being put in the shop window by Gold and Sullivan who will probably sell up for a tidy profit. All in all, an attractive proposition for most managers, let alone Rafa.

    Disagree with most of that, but fair enough mate – we all have our opinions.

    He likes the sense of community at NUFC and it’s similarities to Liverpool. Wouldn’t get that at all at West Ham.

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  5. West Ham are a smaller club – lol . In value – no, In attendances – no, In revenue – no, In season tickets – no. Widely accepted that you had a great season and we had a terrible one – yet you finished only 2 points above, so in expectation levels – no. Only in the mind of the toon are you a big club anymore – hope u keep Rafa he has done great for you, hopefully there is something better for us too than Moyes.

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