Gallowgate End

They would just appoint Neil Redfearn as temporary manager if they were selling the club in the next month. The statement says they’re looking for a new manager. Looking like no Rafa AND no takeover

George Caulkin The sadness is that Newcastle had something profound in their grip, but never truly appreciated what Benitez meant: better. And, a minor, telling detail ... I’m told Rafa was given no prior warning today’s statement was coming. Hahaaa didn’t even have the decency to tell Rafa the statement was coming

WhoScored.com Newcastle: Are one of only five teams (along with Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea) to have conceded fewer than 50 goals in each of the past two Premier League seasons. Going to miss watching a Newcastle side be able to defend so well I wonder how many thumpings we will get next season. We’re going to get a big reality check.

Around the same time the transfer window closes This has to be some kind of sick joke

Thought Mourinho was coming...

I wish

And again

VAR in the Colombia vs Paraguay match

If BZG manage to come in and stop Rafa from leaving by the end of the month Instant hero status.

Seems Mike Ashley is playing brinkmanship with both BZG and Rafa Benitez.

The card you show in a game of brinkmanship. I reckon Rafa is just trying get them to make one last offer of added assurances for us and will take it to the last few days to get it out of Mike. I wouldn’t be surprised if that story of his “Interest” in a £12million a year China offer was told to the media by him. Definitely seems a game of brinkmanship is going on.

They’re in a game of brinkmanship. I think Rafa is just trying to get us the best possible contractual guarantees by making Mike sweat till the last days. Mike will then be made to have to make last ditch promises(Rondon?) to keep a man he knows guarantees him solidarity in the Premier League and keeps fans away from going for his throat. Rafa Benitez will just be trying to get as many last ditch guarantees out of Mike before he signs I reckon.

By a Mackem account pretending to be a Geordie

Sarabia has a €18million release clause apparently. Scored 20 goals and got 13 assists from midfield in all comps last season. That Sarabia price makes Fornals look expensive

Where's this from, not being a t*** but you're putting something with no clue on where this is coming from or is this just a guess? Read above man !!! he's just bought Game for £51.9m and it was jokingly suggested he would add the price onto us Calm down man I hadn't read any of the above as just come on and saw that Godzilla must have had me muted What happens when you mute a poster that posts interesting information

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-06-22-game-agrees-gbp52m-takeover-by-mike-ashleys-sports-direct Mike Ashley agrees £52million GAME takeover. Well at least he’s getting something done this Summer

You really think Rafa wants more than a 1 year contract from Mike Ashley? He would likely only be willing to sign a 1 year contract maximum with Mike in the hope Mike Ashley might be gone in the next year which means he can extend further then or just leave at the end of next season if Mike isn’t gone. No way will Rafa be asking for more than a 1 year contract in the current situation. Hopefully Rafa just signs the 1 year contract and tries to wait Mike Ashley out the worst case scenario for him in that situation is the takeover never happens in the next year but at least he’ll have the chance to get out again at the end of next season. I think they’re probably just having a game of brinkmanship till the last few days of his contract. Mike will probably have to make a last ditch effort in the contract(Let him sign Rondon?) to keep a man he knows guarantees him survival and keeps us away from going for his throat. Hopefully Rafa is just trying to get us the best possible contractual guarantees by making Mike sweat till the last day.

My views were that Rafa was in a win win situation if he signed up, but I guess I hadn't really factored in Rafa's commitment to his principles. There is literally no precedent of him shying away or doing a U turn on any of them. I agree sign the 1 year contract and just wait Mike Ashley out over the next year till the takeover finally happens then extend further when the takeover happens. If it never happens over the next year he can then just leave at the end of next season. I’m hoping he signs the 1 year contract which will at least give us security till a takeover happens hopefully in the next year. Rafa Benitez is our security till a takeover happens it’s absolutely vital for the football club he stays until a takeover finally happens