Magpies ‘never get it right’ – it’s just typical
Claudio Ranieri fancies being ‘The Toon Tinkerman’ – and former Newcastle United skipper Mick Martin reckons the Italian could handle the fallout from Rafa Benitez’s exit.
The Geordie fans are raging that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has failed to keep hold of boss Benitez, whose contract is officially up today.
And Martin, who also played for Manchester United – after being signed by ex-Scotland boss Tommy Docherty – and West Brom believes the likeable Ranieri – mastermind of Leicester’s improbable Premier League title win in 2016 – could be the man to ease unrest on Tyneside.
Ranieri, 67, is interested in the Magpies’ vacancy after leaving Roma, where he was in charge for a second time following his sacking by Fulham in February as the Londoners headed for relegation.
Dubbed ‘The Tinkerman’ in his Chelsea days due to his constant squad rotation, Ranieri has long been keen on a crack at the Toon job.
And one-time Republic of Ireland midfielder Martin said: “He’s got the experience. He’s worked in Serie A and elsewhere in Europe, and he’s won the Premier League. He couldn’t do anything at Fulham – he went there too late and they were in trouble from day one.
“But he has a bucketful of experience, he was at Chelsea, and he knows what the game is all about. If anyone can take stick, he can take it.
“A younger manager, who hasn’t been around the block, might not be able to handle that pressure.’’
Martin brands Benitez’s departure “a shambles’’ – and insists Ashley must “carry the can’’. He said: “It’s a disaster and it’s been handled pretty badly. I thought he would agree new terms.
“Then it’s all over with a statement saying, ‘Thank you very much for your contribution’. And that’s it – dismissed. It’s an appalling way to do things.
“I was annoyed it didn’t get sorted. It’s been a shambles and I think Mike Ashley has to carry the can. It was like he was saying, ‘This is my club, I make the decisions here’.”
“It’s pre-season next week and it’s a horrible situation. It’s typical Newcastle – they can never get it right.’’