Inside the shrewd, political world of Benitez

EVERY word Rafa Benitez utters is meticulously thought out. No one should be in any doubt about how shrewd an operator he is. When Newcastle United were struggling during their ninegame losing run between October and December, the Spaniard did not plead for reinforcements at that moment. Instead, he continued to stress that his players would come good and did not allow the focus to shift from that. Once January came around and Benitez perceived he could actually affect his board’s business at that moment by making his case in public, he did just that.

But, as soon as the mid-season window closed, the cold war of words upon which he had embarked with Mike Ashley ceased. Partly that was because he had, albeit belatedly, received the reinforcements he so desired; but it was also because the Spaniard knew the sole focus needed to be on survival.

Benitez is more than willing to play politics – he even appears to thrive on it – but only when the timing is right.

When togetherness is required, he preaches unity. But when an opportunity to make a not-sosubtle point to the United hierarchy presents itself, Benitez will not hesitate.

It seems that passing the 40-point mark was the trigger point this time around.

Having set his side such a target for survival, Benitez knows he can afford to allow conversation to now shift towards the summer – and even beyond.

At his pre-match Press conference on Friday, the Spaniard mentioned a subject which looks set to be a regular theme between now and the end of the season: experience.

“I am a young manager who wants to win,” Benitez explained, when asked what he believes needs to change at Newcastle going forward in order to convince him to commit his longterm future to the Tyneside club.

“But, at the same time, I spend a lot of time coaching players and improving them so I do not have any problem with young players because they will grow and become much better players.

“But you need to win. So you need players with experience. When we had problems in the Championship, or in the Premier League with this squad, we needed experience.”

He added: “Then you will be a better, more competitive team, and can try and win trophies.

“I am not saying you have to win the league, because maybe you will need a lot of times to do that. But to compete for the League Cup, the FA Cup [you need] to have a team that you can change, rotate players and have a good XI. That’s it.”

In that answer, Benitez not only forewarned what must happen going forward in order to make Newcastle competitive, but he also recalled past mistakes.

During the summer of 2016, Benitez was given almost free rein to restructure his squad for the Championship. As a result, Daryl Murphy – aged 33 – was signed.

By the following January, the