According to an exclusive in The Chronicle, Mike Ashley is now willing to hand Rafa Benitez the contract he wants – as long he is willing to wait for ‘certain requests’.
Not for the first time, Lee Ryder’s piece makes it clear as to what Benitez wants, stating that ‘financial power’ in the transfer market, changes to the club’s academy and an improved training ground are THREE of his demands.
Before I get into it, here’s a snippet from The Chronicle’s ‘exclusive’:
Newcastle United chiefs are understood to be ready to offer Rafa Benitez he contract extension he wants – providing he is prepared to wait for certain requests.
Benitez is keen to have more financial power at St James’ Park but also wants to make changes at the club’s Academy and wants a better training ground.
The Sunday Sun has learned that all three of those conditions could be met between over a five-year period – which would be the course of the initial contract offered to Benitez back in June.
However, talks have taken place since then and there has been a healthy dialogue between managing director Lee Charnley and Benitez in the meantime.
This all sounds promising, but the issue lies with how long he’d have to ‘wait’ for certain requests. If that’s saying he’d get financial power and money to spend in the market now but training ground improvements would have to wait a year, I’d imagine he’d live with that, but then again, can he trust a word Ashley says?
It’s clear Rafa wants to stay and make a success of his time at St James’ Park, but it’s also quite clear that he won’t hang around if Ashley continues to ignore his requests and show no ambition.
Will Rafa accept, or will it be a case of once bitten, twice as shy?
I think we’ll have to back him in January before Benitez even considering committing his future to a Mike Ashley owned NUFC.
Ashley should have backed the club years ago. He only puts his hand in his pocket when we are in serious danger in Jan and even then it’s for as little as possible (loan deals mainly).
I really hope that Rafa stays and is allowed to build a good team, however I fear this is another greedy con job from Ashley to play for time. Sad painful times.
Ardson2412(Quote)
All lies, too little too late I’m afraid Cashley!
No major players will want to come to us permanently in January if we are in the relegation zone still
Craig(Quote)
Hehe.
Steve(Quote)
You can’t believe one word out of Ashley’s mouth even if he signs a binding agreement with Rafa he will find a way to break it or go back on his word that is the measure of the man id say he is the most hated and despised owner in premier league history.
Nufc11(Quote)
No they are not!
As usual it’s all smoke and mirrors to get through the season without the natives parading with their pitch forks and torches.
If you believe anything that comes out of this club then you are a fool!
The Chronicle is fed a few scraps of mis information now and again, and then go skipping back to their Mirror Group masters with their “exclusive” from a senior source…..Who?????
Premier league Manager and Fans, Championship Club……………..
BillyTheFish(Quote)
Strange how these stories are ‘leaked’. (Keith Bishop working his magic)
How many ‘5 year plans’ have we had now?
No-one believes a word of it anymore.
Just sell up Ashley, you’re not wanted under any circumstances.
Dave B(Quote)
Same old same old!!
I am at the point where I don’t care if Rafa stays or goes, he moans, Ashley lies and Lee Charnley makes the bloody tea!!
We are doomed, not just because of the lack of spending, but because of the attitude of the team, half hearted is being kind, not fit to wear the shirt is more honest, and only them and Rafa can change that!!
Toonloony1971(Quote)
ONCE bitten??
ONCE????
This lying fat slug has lied for 11 years… time and time and time again.
Get out of our club.
Asset stripping arsehole.
Lynxie(Quote)