Newcastle fans and their story of discontent with club’s owner Mike Ashley is nothing new to the football world but the entire fanbase has been charged up ever since the appointment of Rafael Benitez, a world-class manager, who believes in foundation over money, training over transfers and holds all the cards to turn the Magpies into an esteemed Premier League force once more. The supporters want the iconic ex-Liverpool boss to commit his future beyond the current deal that expires in 2019, but the 57-year-old Spaniard has reportedly kept the contract talks on hold and is completely focusing on Newcastle’s Premier League revival.
The Magpies have grabbed few stunning outcomes in recent weeks but still need at least 8 points more from the remaining 8 fixtures to avoid another drop in the year of promotion from the second tier. The Tyneside outfit have certain limitations, but the gaffer has done a stupendous job on a shoestring and is utilizing his weapons with great care and forethought. The reports are also suggesting that Benitez is keen on finding the root of Newcastle’s downfall and planning to work on their academy set-up. It is no short-term project whatsoever and the gaffer thus is likely to stay beyond his current deal only if he is handed proper tools and freedom at work.
It is up to Ashley now to make the next move who has a past record of interrupting the managers’ moves and the fans have fumed over his decade-long antics time and again. His successful procurement of Rafael Benitez has been a master move and respecting the Spaniard’s wishes will help him to fix his alliance with Magpies fanbase who have demanded a takeover by Amanda Staveley, which, however, has faded away after the winter fiasco.
The former UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool accepted the challenge in an extremely adverse condition when Newcastle were sensing a relegation under former boss Steve McClaren back in 2016. it was too late to turn things around at St James’ Park though and Benitez, despite a late fightback, failed to retain his side’s Premier League status. But he did not give up and vowed to manage them in the Championship last season – a massive compromise from a world-class manager who achieved greatest of success at world’s renowned clubs. Benitez did not disappoint and gifted the fans a rare reason for rejoicing when he clinched the Championship title on the final gameweek and brought the Magpies back in the Premier League.
His team, nevertheless, lacked the quality of competing among England’s bests, yet he did not moan about it and is fighting to inspire his boys in order to stay up in the top tier. The current status of the league table is quite in his side’s favor who are five points clear of the drop zone with 8 games in hand. Newcastle, however, need to restore a Premier League stability like early years which will boost them up in the transfer market to lure in top talents. But they have to ensure Benitez’s future at Tyneside as he is the only man who can guide them to reclaim the lost pride.
