Mike Ashley exposed by Stam – Proof he had absolutely no intention of keeping Rafa Benitez?

Jaap Stam has today revealed that Newcastle attempted to bring him to St James’ Park earlier in the year.

The Man Utd legend has confirmed that the club contacted him ‘a few days’ after he put pen to paper at Feyenoord in March – suggesting we were actively looking for Rafa Benitez’s replacement BEFORE the Spaniard’s contract expired.

He rejected the offer after already agreeing to take over the Dutch giants, but seemed flattered by our interest.

Here’s what he’s had to say to Voetbal International:

“You have been informed, because it is correct. Newcastle United applied a few days after I signed my signature at Feyenoord. So it was not an option right away.

“I am a man of my word. It was beautiful and honourable, because the people in England apparently know what I stand for as a trainer.”

If this is true, it makes it seem as though Mike Ashley had absolutely no intention of keeping Rafa Benitez – and the way the summer panned out would back up those thoughts.

Not only that, these new comments from Stam also suggest Steve Bruce was anything but our first choice target following the Spaniard’s summer exit.

That said, an unproven manager who was recently sacked by Championship strugglers Reading hardly looked like the answer.

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

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.

5 thoughts on “Mike Ashley exposed by Stam – Proof he had absolutely no intention of keeping Rafa Benitez?

  1. or it could be Mike Ashley was aware rafa had no intention of staying,

    I always thought Rafa really wanted out, Ashley didn’t want him to stay and they both wanted to be able to blame each other and take the high ground.

    The fact is he’s gone move on. this rafa obsession is becoming a bit much in my opinion.

    By the way I also want Ashley to leave.

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  2. Absolute garbage Olly.

    Newcastle would have sounded out a number of managers before Rafa’s contraxt expired “just in case”.
    That doesn’t mean they had no intention of keeping him

    It just means they were preparing for a possibility – its called being professional.

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  3. Brrrian:
    AbsolutegarbageOlly.

    Newcastle would have sounded out a number of managers before Rafa’s contraxt expired “just in case”.
    That doesn’t mean they had no intention of keeping him

    It just means they were preparing for a possibility – its called being professional.

    There’s a difference between sounding someone out and offering them the job..

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  4. I have no idea why this article is claimed as news ?The list of would be managers contacted by the Fatman, before he finally found Mr Stool pigeon, is almost legendary.

    However Fatman found out pretty soon that his reputation as a cheating conniving cnt who’ll drop his manager in the clarts rather than spend money on the squad was one that preceded him?

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  5. I’m sure Mashley is going to be really annoyed when he reads this……

    Another Toon bashing story by Olly.

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