SUPER MAC United have their own Klopp already

RAFA EFFECT HAS WORKED BUT ASHLEY NEEDS TO ACT

RAFA Benitez has often compared the cities of Newcastle and Liverpool in terms of a workingclass environment spawning a great undying love for their football club.

It is one of the main reasons Benitez has stuck with United as a project despite what he perceives as limited backing from above.

Liverpool won the Champions League under him, of course, and tonight will attempt to do it again under Jurgen Klopp.

I was intrigued this week to read an interview with Liverpool’s owner John W Henry about the vision and programme he set out upon taking over the club.

He used a lovely phrase: “You cannot turn an ocean liner around like a speed boat.”

We all know what he means. Taking over a top football club is a long-term project.

You have to have a clear strategic plan and follow it slavishly from day one.

It got me wondering – what is Mike Ashley’s plan for Newcastle?

Has he actually got one or does he just stagger from season to season, making it up on the fly as he goes Rafa Benitez with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp along? Does it all simply depend on his mood at the time?

American billionaire Henry always knew he wanted Klopp as manager.

He first approached the German in 2012 but could not get him and over the next three years he sacked three managers while waiting for Klopp.

Well, Ashley already has his Klopp in Benitez. So his plan for the future should be full steam ahead. I am not meaning United’s owner should be looking to win the Champions League any time soon but his target ought to be better than avoiding relegation or making it to midtable. It does not look like he is selling any time soon either, be it because of the money he requires to do so or simply the lack of interested parties. That being so, surely Ashley does not want to live from day to day? As a businessman he ought to know better. He has a sound base upon which to launch a bright future. For United to finish where they did in their first season back in the top flight, and with the players they had, was truly phenomenal. It was the Benitez effect and Ashley must know it. However, such an opportunity does not hang round forever. It has to be grasped while it is available or it disappears and might not surface again for years. United did not cash in longterm on what Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson built here. That should be a warning to Ashley to safeguard what he has He can look at it strictly in a business sense if he wants rather than personal glory. If he backs Benitez and United continue to blossom then when he does get round to selling the club it will be worth a lot more.