Reporter confirms big problem between Benitez & Ashley – Potentially disastrous news for NUFC

In a worrying update from the Chronicle’s Mark Douglas, it’s been revealed today that Mike Ashley is demanding that Rafa Benitez signs a new long-term contract before he’ll hand him money to spend this summer – leading to a stand off between the two parties.

In short, Ashley won’t back Rafa until he agrees to a new deal, but Benitez won’t entertain any new contract until Ashley proves he’ll show ambition this summer.

This really is frustrating. Given their previous failings and the broken promises Benitez has been dealt, it’s to be expected that Rafa wants to see proof of their intentions and ambitions before agreeing to any new deal.

It sounds like Ashley is being awkward and unreasonable once again, however, leading to a stand off between the two parties.

Here’s what NUFC editor Mark Douglas has had to say on the situation today:

“A stand-off has developed between club and manager, with Newcastle seemingly asking Benitez to sign a long-term deal before committing funds in the transfer market – something the Magpies chief is reluctant to do before he sees evidence of their desire to address the footballing issues he has outlined to them.

“It’s understood talks are “ongoing” between Benitez’s representatives and the club but with Lee Charnley due in North Yorkshire for the Premier League’s AGM it’s unlikely there will be any imminent breakthrough on that or further transfer business.”

The incompetence of those in charge at NUFC is mind-boggling. It’s a completely nonsensical mindset and completely unreasonable to expect a man to commit his long-term future to a club when he has no proof that those in charge will give him what he wants (and needs to make us a success).

Infuriating stuff. Let’s hope Ashley buckles and reaches an agreement with Raf.

Time is ticking and we’re already in danger of making the same mistakes we did last summer – something Rafa will have been so keen to avoid.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

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.

9 thoughts on “Reporter confirms big problem between Benitez & Ashley – Potentially disastrous news for NUFC

  1. Many of us knew Ashley would eventually resort to type.

    I love the Toon, but if I was Rafa I would tell him to shove up his fat cuckoo ****!

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  2. “It sounds like Ashley is being awkward and unreasonable once again,”

    Not so sure about that.

    Why would he give Rafa a hundred million to spend with free reign over that spending if Rafa’s just going to walk away at the end of the season?

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  3. Beginning to resemble brexit.
    Rafa, just go.
    When the fat boy knows your serious, if he has any sense he’ll be dtraight back in touch.
    Forget about honouring the contract you have with him.
    When he see’s the value fall he’ll brick it.

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  4. rob:
    “It sounds like Ashley is being awkward and unreasonable once again,”

    Not so sure about that.

    Why would he give Rafa a hundred million to spend with free reign over that spending if Rafa’s just going to walk away at the end of the season?

    Eh?

    More like, why on earth would Rafa Benitez commit to a long-term contract under a man who’s lied to him consistently over the past 18 months!

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  5. Olly Hawkins: Eh?

    More like, why on earth would Rafa Benitez commit to a long-term contract under a man who’s lied to him consistently over the past 18 months!

    Exactly.

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  6. rob:
    “It sounds like Ashley is being awkward and unreasonable once again,”

    Not so sure about that.

    Why would he give Rafa a hundred million to spend with free reign over that spending if Rafa’s just going to walk away at the end of the season?

    And why would Rafa sign a new contract with no assurances about a budget to bring in new players?

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  7. Ashley has already proven he cannot be trusted, he has cheated Rafa in every window so far. This just confirms that he is untrustworthy, and will always be untrustworthy.
    Ashley has already proven he is a liar, making up stories about how he has given so much money to the club, about how much he has spent on bringing players in, he hides the amount of money he has taken out of the club and how much free advertising he gets through the club. He had said he would back Rafa, and now this just confirms that he is a liar, and will always lie.
    Ashley has already proven he is a bully, throughout all his dealings, football, business, personal – this just confirms how much of a bully he is, and will always be.
    We have one more season of Rafa, then Rafa gets his freedom and dignity back, and we look for another team to support.
    …and Ashley ? Well, he’ll just continue to cheat, lie and bully NUFC into ruins, before plunging it into the lower leagues and finally flogging it off (though their won’t be much of value left when he finally does!).
    All, so sad, really. But, that’s in the future. One more year of Rafa to enjoy first. HWTL

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