Rafa speaks – and now onus is on Ashley to give him reason to stay
OFFER A VISION OF FUTURE HE CAN GET EXCITED ABOUT – OR RISK LOSING HIM
RAFA Benitez has chosen his moment wisely, just as he so often does, to broach the subject of his long-term future at Newcastle United.
Ever since the January transfer window closed, the Spaniard has tried to avoid talking about his own personal situation – even when a young fan innocently asked him about it earlier the month.
The sole focus has rightly been on guiding the Magpies to Premier League survival.
But fresh from a win over relegation rivals Southampton, a result which leaves Newcastle four points clear of the drop zone and probably only two wins from safety, Benitez has allowed the question marks to resurface over how long he will remain at St James’ Park.
The doubts have persisted ever since he first arrived on Tyneside in March 2016 - and they will probably endure for as long as Mike Ashley remains owner.
This 21-day gap in Newcastle’s fixture schedule comes at a time when United are in a healthy position and it does not appear coincidental that Benitez allowed the topic of his future to dominate a sitdown interview conducted with four national newspapers out in Spain last Friday.
Benitez is very much in a position of strength – and he knows it.
The fact Newcastle appear on course to retain their top-flight status bolsters his stance, but that is buttressed further by the open secret that United are far more saleable with the Spaniard tied down than without his future settled.
Managing director Lee Charnley attempted to initiate contract talks during a largelyfarcical January transfer window, but Benitez rightly stressed that the midpoint of a season of struggle was not the time for conversations over an extension.
As Newcastle edge ever closer to achieving their stated aim of survival, Benitez is now seeking clarity. The Spaniard is already putting plans in place for the long term – even if he is unsure whether he will be on Tyneside past the summer, never mind beyond the final year of his current contract which expires in 2019. Transfers targets have already been identified ahead of the summer window, with Benitez’s restructured scouting department having compiled a list of almost 600 names - at least 12 deep in every single position. Background checks have been conducted, while the progress of some players has been tracked for the best part of two years. Potential pre-season destinations are also being considered, with Benitez believed to prefer a short training camp in Europe rather than a long-haul trip for commercial benefit. The Under-23 set up is also being scrutinised, with a host of players already informed that they will be released this summer while potential reserve-team recruits have already been located. But what Benitez does not yet know is if any of his plans will be put into place.
Over the course of the last three transfer windows, Benitez – who admitted during his interview with the national newspapers that he regularly works 13-hour days down at Newcastle’s Benton Training Centre - feels he has been let down by the owner.
The Spaniard spent weeks, if not months, lining up potential signings – such as Tammy Abraham, Willy Caballero and Nicolai Jorgensen – only for certain deals to fall through for what did not always appear sound reasoning.
In short, Benitez does not feel he has been given total control of “football operations”, as was originally stated in his contract.
“We have to change things,” Benitez told The Times.
“I came here with the idea to compete and to create a strong team and a strong club, to compete every year. What we have to do if we stay up is improve.
“The way Newcastle were doing things before I arrived doesn’t mean they were right, because they were going down. Now we have had the chance to go up we cannot make the same mistakes again.” It is those repeated mistakes which so exasperate Benitez. Every time the Spaniard has met face to face with Ashley, or has spoken to the owner over the phone, he has felt comforted that at least some progress was being made. But that has rarely manifested itself long term due to the businessman’s oftenabritrary nature – while the pair have not spoken directly since January. The budget Ashley and Benitez agreed at United’s training ground last May was, in the Spaniard’s view, not delivered upon – or at least the terms of it, namely that it also included wages and other related fees, were not made explicitly clear. As a result, Benitez has been left with a squad lacking depth, quality and Premier League experience. The former Real Madrid manager was almost embarrassed at having
Benitez does not feel he has been given total control of “football operations”, as was originally stated in his contract