Benitez set for crunch talks at St James’ Park – He wants THREE assurances – It’s make or break

According to The Chronicle, Rafa Benitez is set to hold a meeting at St James’ Park at the end of the month – with the Spaniard set to raise his concerns about our recruitment process, the Academy and the club’s U-23 set up.

All three have been identified as areas the club must improve should they wish to see Rafa sign a new deal, and he looks set to meet with Lee Charnley, Steve Nickson (head of recruitment) and Paul Baker (European scout) to get to the bottom of it all – with The Chronicle refusing to rule out Mike Ashley’s attendance.

Here’s a snippet from Lee Ryder’s piece today, admitting that these talks could be key when it comes to Rafa’s future at the club – with these issues needing to be ironed out if there’s any hope of him signing a new deal.

“Benitez was keen to make changes to the youth system and the second string last summer but the collapse of those negotiations with Charnley and Ashley mean things have came to a bit of a standstill.

“Newcastle fans will hope that the meeting could eventually result in Benitez’s committing himself to a new deal.

“The clarification of certain issues with the club’s scouting network and youth system could be key to that.”

Hopefully Mike Ashley will attend, although I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Benitez can get all the assurances he likes from Lee Charnley, but it always feel as though Mike Ashley dictates it all – even if he claims to have such a distant role at the club these days.

If Rafa can get the right answers then it’ll be a good start, but it feels like he will only be convinced to sign a new deal once the club puts any of these plans into action.

Talk is cheap.

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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.

4 thoughts on “Benitez set for crunch talks at St James’ Park – He wants THREE assurances – It’s make or break

  1. The only assurances Rafa has is that whatever assurances are given, Fat lad will have his fingers crossed and call skinchies come the 1st January.

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  2. Only assurance Rafa wants is the club has been sold, and to meet the new owner to discuss their plans and aspirations for NUFC.

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  3. All the assurances in the world from Ashley cannot be taken as true as Rafa has found out, says one thing does another. Sell up and let someone who has some intention of supporting and taking the club forward, great manager, ground and fans we are not expecting him to spend like the top 6 but currently he spends like the middle tier of the championship

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