Daily Mirror

Rafa told to shut it

- BY SIMON BIRD

RAFA BENITEZ has agreed to “shut up and get on with his job” after clear-the-air talks with Newcastle chiefs.

After a series of transfer window moans, the Toon boss was visited after Saturday’s win by managing director Lee Charnley and Justin Barnes, a lawyer working for owner Mike Ashley.

PR man Keith Bishop was also present amid concern at Benitez’s comments about his transfer budget.

So far, Newcastle have splashed out around £40million in this summer’s transfer window on six players, but missed out on four early deals Benitez wanted, leading to tension.

On Friday afternoon Benitez claimed Newcastle was no longer a “longterm” project. And all summer he has hinted at unhappines­s at the speed of business being done.

Owner Ashley is believed to have asked Benitez to stop his unsettling comments and to “get on with his job”.

 ??  ?? YOU HAVEN’T A PRAYER Benitez can’t win his battle
YOU HAVEN’T A PRAYER Benitez can’t win his battle

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