Former assistant Fabio Pecchia has insisted that Rafa Benitez will need ‘bigger investments’ to sign a new contract at Newcastle United – with him admitting that he ‘doesn’t know if he will stay’.
Pecchia left the club after we sealed promotion back to the Premier League, with him taking his first senior role in management with Serie A strugglers Verona, however it seems he has still been in regular contact with Rafa.
He insists that Rafa has a real connection with the club and our fans, but states that Benitez still wants to win things – and won’t stick around forever if he’s not given the tools to do so on Tyneside.
Here’s what Pecchia said about Benitez when speaking to the Chronicle this week:
“We often speak to each other. Even before I left for Japan, I asked him for advice,”
“If he keeps Newcastle up again this season, he has pulled off a sporting miracle. Now, the aim has to be to compete and move to a higher level. Bigger investments are needed.
“I don’t know if he will stay. He has a good connection with the club and he is loved by the fans, but he also wants to win things – and he knows how to do it.”
Pecchia then admitted that he and Rafa were plunged into a ‘very difficult’ situation when they first arrived at the club, with them having no power to sign players ahead of the second half of the season:
“When we arrived at Newcastle, in March, the situation was very difficult and our only goal was to try and save the team,”
“If we had got there a few weeks earlier, we could have done the business. This was the biggest disappointment.
“I was only in Newcastle for three months, but from day one it felt like home. The atmosphere at St James’ Park overwhelms you.
“For me, for any Italian, to see a game like that one against Spurs defies all logic. A relegated team and 50,000 people who cheer on their heroes and above all sing the name of Rafa. Extraordinary.”
It couldn’t be clearer – Rafa WILL stay and wants to stay if he’s backed and given the tools to at least compete, but he won’t continue to fight a losing battle.
Ashley releasing Almiron funds can only be the start as far as player investment and £20m plus signings are concerned.
Fingers crossed!
What Rafa really needs to stay is for Ashley to LEAVE!
BillyTheFish(Quote)
After Rafa given much needed breathing space, The only hope we have is Rafa signing in the knowledge ashley still wants to sell
Long term, no chance if Ashley still around.
Geordie exile(Quote)