The entirety of Rafael Benitez’s frustration with his job at Newcastle United can be attributed to the reluctance of the owner, Mike Ashley to provide him with the optimal financial leverage in the January market. The Spaniard has been crying out for a budget to pursue more attacking options and has only been able to make one signing this month – Kennedy from Chelsea.
Benitez has already chosen Feyenoord’s, Nicolai Jorgensen as the further addition ahead of the final stretch of the season. He is reported to cost £17.6m and Ashley is yet to put the money where his mouth is.
Championship promoted sides, Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hove Albion have faired quite well in the January window and have already bolstered the club ranks. The Terriers signed Alex Pritchard from Norwich City and has brought in Terence Kongolo on loan from AS Monaco. The Seagulls got Jurgen Locadia from PSV.
This is the price you have to pay to survive a season against elite competition. Benitez has won almost every European trophy other than the Premier League title. However, the path that the Magpies are taking, the bosses of St. James’ Park might have to find a replacement sooner rather than later.
Three people, they should consider if Benitez does make an exit.
Mark Hughes
The former Stoke City manager faced the axe earlier this month after failing to boost the club out of the relegation scraps. Hughes’ job never came under threat in the past as the Potters established themselves as a mid-table club over the last 9 years in top-flight football.
Hughes managed Manchester City as well and draws his managerial inspiration from Alex Ferguson himself.
Marco Silva
Another shock sacking took place a couple of weeks back when Silva was removed as the Watford head coach. The Hornets were cruising through the season in the first half and came close to competing for a place in the European qualification spots.
However, the side looked lacklustre over the past couple of months and dropped to the 10th spot of the points table. When Everton was going through a rough period and Ronald Koeman was fired, Marco Silva was considered as a replacement. This obviously somehow dispaired his focus as the Hornets boss which ultimately did not sit well with the Watford board.
Pepe Mel
The Spaniard got fired from his position as the manager of La Liga outfit, Deportivo de La Coruna. He is currently without a job and can be considered to make the switch to English football, which comes as a new challenge for him.
