STAYING IN TOON
Rafa fights on despite transfer agony
TROUBLED Rafa Benitez has given a clear signal he is ready to stay at Newcastle.
Benitez was left angry and frustrated at owner Mike Ashley’s failure to back him in the transfer window, fuelling fears he could quit.
But despite his uneasy relationship with the club hierarchy, Benitez insists he is loving life at St James’ Park and the bond he has with the Toon Army.
Grateful
“The North East already feels like home for me,” said the Spaniard. “I was made to feel so welcome by everybody at the club, the supporters and the city from my very first day.
“I believe it is important to embrace a city and its people and I am grateful to have such a positive relationship with our fantastic supporters.
“I have always felt very welcome at this club.
“All I can do is continue to work hard every day and try my best to give them a team to be proud of.
“We know this season will be tough in the Premier League but with the fans on our side, it gives us a better chance of achieving our targets.”
Benitez has twice previously had to make decisions on his immediate future – following relegation last year and again in ® May when he had lucrative job offers from China.
And he revealed it was daughters Claudia and Agata who convinced him to stay at Newcastle.
“My family wanted me to stay in England after time away in Italy and Spain,” he told lifestyle magazine North East Times.
“And it is true my daughters were showing me what the fans were saying on social media at the time.
“They were looking on different social networks and saying, ‘You have to stay and win for these people – the fans love you here!’”
Benitez missed training this week after having a hernia operation.
He had expected to return on Wednesday but an infection forced him to change plans.
The Toon boss is taking antibiotics and remains hopeful of being in the dugout for Sunday’s trip to Swansea. CHANCEL MBEMBA faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with DR Congo.