RAFA-LUTION Supermac’s smitten with Benitez
POYET GETS THE BULLET FROM BETIS
The date is etched in his mind because it was the day he knew once and for all that Rafael Benitez was Newcastle United’s messiah.
The Magpies beat Brighton 2-0 in front of almost 50,000 fans that day and after the game Supermac was invited to meet the former Liverpool boss.
Macdonald, 66, mingled with guests in a hospitality suite and watched as Benitez’s backroom staff relaxed and chatted with the club’s loyal supporters.
Then, when the Spaniard arrived, the legendary former Newcastle striker could not help but think that this man was the closest the club have come to having a manager of Sir Bobby Robson’s iconic status.
Macdonald said: “I was asked if I would like to meet Rafa and, of course, I said I would.
“We were in this hospitality room amid loads of people and Rafa’s staff. He finished his press conference and when he came in, he went around the room shaking hands with everybody.
“He began thanking the supporters and chatting to them. I was so impressed. He said STEVE MILLAR to one, ‘What do you think of so and so?’ One of the guys said that he was always good going forward but not very good defensively. “Rafa said, ‘I agree with you’. “Another supporter chipped in and gave his opinion. Rafa listened to everything he had to say, sometimes he did agree, other times he didn’t. “But he wanted to talk to them and he looked so comfortable. He looked at home. “It just goes to show you that honesty and openness win people over. I looked at these fans and you could see they found him genuine. “He gave them his full attention. The point was he listened.” Newcastle were relegated under GUS POYET has been sacked as Real Betis coach after less than four months in charge. Betis took 11 points from 11 games under the Uruguayan (left) and are 14th in La Liga, two points above the relegation zone. A Betis fans’ group last week released a statement demanding Poyet be sacked, claiming they would not return to the Benito Villamarin stadium while he remained in charge. Benitez last season – he only replaced Steve McClaren in March – but look set for an immediate return to the top flight.
They already have an eight-point lead over third-placed Huddersfield and sit 12 points clear of Birmingham in seventh.
And Macdonald (below) has huge respect for the man at the helm.
“After that Brighton win Rafa came to me and he talked about me playing f or this great club,” said the ex-England forward.
“We had a really nice chat. If you ask me had I experienced anything like that before I would say yes, with Bobby Robson.
“This was the moment when I realised Rafael Benitez was something special for Newcastle.
“I always have a belief that you can’t kid fans. It might take them a little while to work something out but the supporters at St James’ Park have taken to Rafa so strongly, even though technically he was the manager to take them down.
“They are more than happy with a man who is open, genuine and honest instead of the shenanigans they have had to deal with before.”
And Supermac is impressed that Benitez, 56, is a man who will not take any nonsense – either in the dressing room or the boardroom. Macdonald STEVE MORGAN The former Chelsea, Spurs and Real Zaragoza midfielder got off to a nightmare start after succeeding Juan Merino last summer, losing his first game 6-2 to champions Barcelona.
Betis then took eight points from their next five games but went on to sufffer four defeats in five matches, including a 6-1 home thrashing by Real Madrid.
Poyet, who will be 49 on Tuesday, has been added: “It’s definitely Rafa’s way or the highway. He’s tough but I’ve warmed to Benitez for all the right reasons. “I’m impressed. I’m seeing players responding to him in a very positive way after a shaky start. “He recognised the weaknesses and has got everyone working to correct that. “There’s charisma in the man. He is the closest we have seen to Bobby and I cannot give him a bigger compliment than that. “He’s been a breath of fresh air, a man who is prepared to stand up to the owner and the board. “He will also stand up to the non-football people and win his case to get the club on the strongest possible footing. “I know Newcastle United are in safe hands. “His thinking is, ‘If you want to be successful then I’m your man’. “He’s having a positive effect, not just on the club but also on the city.” replaced at the Seville club by former Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Victor Sanchez del Amo.
He worked as an assistant coach at Getafe, Sevilla and Olympiakos before taking charge of Deportivo last year.
He was sacked after Deportivo finished 15th last season and appointed Olympiakos coach in June only to be axed in August after they were knocked out of the Champions League third qualifying round by Hapoel Beer-Sheva. UWE ROSLER’S career has taken him from Leipzig to Fleetwood via Dresden, Manchester and Lillestrom.
The German now finds himself in charge of the Cod Army – and he could not be happier with life at his latest port of call.
The £8million Poolfoot Farm training ground, where he hosts his press conferences, is first-class and impressed Sir Alex Ferguson when he cut the ribbon to open it in April.
Even the toilets have reminders of Fleetwood’s humble past with old programmes from games against minnows Goole, Runcorn and Halesowen up on the wall.
The League One side have come a long way since then, thanks mainly to chairman Andy Pilley pumping his millions into his ambitious club.
Rosler, who arrived in a hurry on the last day of July, said: “The club have had six promotions in 10 years – they are already going places.
“It’s now our third season in League One and our aim is to stabilise before we go again.
“There is a fabulous training facility here.
“The chairman has not spent all his money on wages.
“He’s put it in the facilities so in the future this club can attract players and coaches.
“That was a reason I also came here. I was blown away when I came the first time.
“I wanted to be part of this and now I’m very happy to be part of this. It’s an amazing story.”
Rosler (below) is glad to finally be working in a peaceful environment after being sacked at Leeds by Massimo Cellino after just 12 games.
The former Manchester City striker added: “The club has a chairman who is very passionate and is committed to the club and community here.
“He’s driving this club forward sensibly. “He knows where this club is now and what’s needed to get them to where they want to be. But he’s in no hurry. “He doesn’t want to achieve it today – he can wait.
“He wants to win games, we all do, but he wants to see the club continuing to progress and doing it the right way.
“I needed to be in an environment where I could work with players and get realistic targets. “This club has given me this opportunity.”