PROMOTED RAFA’S IN NO RUSH

RAFA BENITEZ is a wily manager with plenty of experience. So it was no surprise that the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss was in no hurry to confirm his Newcastle future after winning promotion last Monday. Benitez, 57, is now playing the long game. It’s designed to ensure he gets what he wants for next season’s return to the Premier League. The Toon Army, who idolise the Spaniard, would have wanted Benitez (below) to state he will definitely still be in charge for the big kick-off in August. But the Newcastle manager wants to make sure he will have a budget to strengthen his squad – and that he will be in charge of the spending. And that is where the problem lies as Graham Carr is letting it be known he will control that as the head of recruitment. The last thing the Magpies need is a bust-up between Benitez and Carr, following on from last week’s HMRC tax raid on the club. But it could happen and that would be damaging. The Geordie public will hope Benitez gets what he wants and that, come August, he feels he’s in a position to build on his promotion success. PAUL HETHERINGTON TOMMY DOCHERTY is a is proud Scot but he English.The certainly not anti- United and former Manchester who was Aston Villa boss, celebrated his born in Glasgow, Monday at the 89th birthday last occasions – a most English of lunch.The St George’s Day attender at Doc is a regular city the Manchester centre event.