According to The Mirror’s Simon Bird, Rafa Benitez’s £6m buy-out clause has now expired, meaning rival clubs will NOT be able to poach him from Newcastle United – however the Spaniard will now be forced to pay the club £6m if he decided to quit the club.
As the North-East reporter highlights, this has now left the gaffer feeling ‘stuck’ at Newcastle United.
He’s clearly committed ahead of the coming season and I have no doubt that he’ll see out the final year of his contract at the club, but the report states that there’s currently ‘no chance’ he’ll extend his deal – damning update for us NUFC fans.
Fabian Schar has signed and Japanese striker Muto looks set to follow in a £9.5m deal from Mainz, but there’s a feeling that it’s a case of ‘too little too late’?
Here’s what The Mirror’s Simon Bird had to say on his contract situation, confirming that he can no longer be poached for £6m, but insisting that a clause still exists that would make him have to pay the CLUB £6m if he decided to quit:
“Rafa Benitez’s £6million buy-out clause for rivals clubs has expired — but he still can’t quit for free.
“The unhappy Newcastle boss was shackled to the club by a contract clause which meant they would get a transfer fee if a rival club want to lure him away.
“That has now expired as he enters the final year of his deal, but instead the Spaniard would face a messy tribunal if he left for another club — with owner Mike Ashley likely to up the stakes and demand even more than £6m compensation if someone came poaching.
“Benitez is also stuck with managing the Magpies amid a sell-to-buy summer transfer window, because he has to pay the club £6m if he quits. That clause remains active.
“It means the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss will remain on Tyneside for now, despite a flimsy transfer budget and the trust between him and the club shattered.
“There is currently no chance Benitez will extend his contract, and this season is likely to be his last at St James’ Park.
“And because he won’t re-sign, progress on new arrivals has been glacial, with the club making a profit on summer deals rather than spending to try to improve.”
This just shows the almost impossible position Rafa has been left in.
He’s got no reason to sign a new deal under Ashley – and the chances of him doing so seem non existent at present – however the fee he’d have to pay to leave just highlights why he hasn’t walked away already.
Is a takeover the only way we’ll see him remain at St James’ beyond this season? Unfortunately, it feels like our only hope right now, with this summer proving once again that Mike Ashley will not change his way – not even for a world class manager.
Rafa has no intention on walking away, but still holding out hope that in his last year he can negotiate a new contract with a new owner.
What is the real surprise here is the Fat Cuckoo has not tried to sell Rafa to get the £6m.
BillytheFish(Quote)
I agree, I don’t think he would, but this just shows the total lack of respect for Rafa from board level..
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Agree Billy, when Rafa signed that contract he had every intention of seeing it through because he has more integrity in his little toe than Ashley throughout his bloatedness. (Made up word, who cares?)
He’ll see his contract out like the gentleman he is and then – baring a miracle – he’ll be on his way.
He’ll give it everything he can and so will we whilst he remains here. When he does go, it’s open season on knacka’s.
Bobbybee(Quote)
Contracts mean sweet FA nowadays. I’m not saying there will be now, but if a club came in Rafa and offered £6m compen, Ashley would take there hand off knowing Rafa would leave for nowt next summer
Sharpy17(Quote)