In his latest blog post out in China, Rafa Benitez has accused Mike Ashley’s ‘unfulfilled promises’ and a ‘lack of project’, feeling he had to leave as a ‘leopard can’t change its spots’.
In a classy message, Rafa wishes Steve Bruce well ahead of the new season, saying he ‘truly’ hopes the team have a successful 2019/20 campaign.
He praises Newcastle fans, saying how kind and positive we were towards him, also feeling we ‘appreciated the commitment’ he showed when he stayed after went down, but he clearly felt unable to continue working under an owner who did not share his vision.
Here’s what he’s had to say in a new post on his personal blog:
“There are a couple of things which clearly remind me of Newcastle. The first is the hotel we’re staying in, ‘The Castle’, which reminds me daily of the good times I had in Newcastle and of the ongoing kindness and positivity I received there from the fans, to which I will slightly digress.
“They appreciated the commitment we had when choosing to stay at Newcastle, and the efforts we made to continue being there, but unfortunately, as they say in England, ‘a leopard can’t change its spots’.
“A lot of things kept us attached to the club, to the city, and to its fans, but a lack of project as well as unfulfilled promises meant we had to look forwards and follow a different path, as others such as Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan have done whilst continuing to be supported and to support the team.
“There’s nothing wrong with thinking about the past, but it’s also important to look to the future.
“For this reason, all I have left to say is that I truly wish the team and Steve Bruce the best for the following season.“
Some will say it’s time to move on from Rafa, but I think it’s fair to share what he’s had to say about Mike Ashley in particular given the NUFC owner had his chance to speak out about the Spaniard in that big interview last weekend.
Rafa’s comments say it all really, with the leopard comment summing things up.
Mike Ashley didn’t change for Keegan, Shearer or Benitez, and he won’t for Steve Bruce.
