https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/01/now-seems-almost-certain-rafa-benitez-will-sign-new-contract/
Anyone fancy copying and pasting as I've reached my limit of free articles. Apparently.
It is always a risk to make a definitive statement on anything to do with Rafa Benitez’s future at Newcastle United, but we have reached the stage where it is now almost certain he will sign a new contract at St James’ Park.
It is a fear that has stalked supporters all season, the risk that Benitez would abandon them, his relationship with the club’s owner Mike Ashley so riddled with mistrust and animosity, it made it impossible for him extend his contract. Things have changed.
There is no running commentary on the progress being made in negotiations. No leaks, no off-the-record briefings, no attempts to put pressure on the other in the court of public opinion. But, make no mistake, constructive talks are taking place, quietly, without fuss, in the background. It is hugely encouraging.
To put it simply, it would now be a far bigger shock if Benitez left Newcastle than if he stayed. The manager Newcastle supporters have loved more than any other since Sir Bobby Robson is preparing himself to sign a new contract.
Ashley wants Benitez to remain in charge of the team, that is not in doubt. He has finally learned to appreciate what he has in the Spaniard and has made it clear in conversations with those around him that losing Benitez now would be a failure of those tasked to keep him. This is crucial. The boss has spoken.
Rafa Benitez oversees Newcastle training
Rafa Benitez oversees Newcastle training CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
Follow your club now for first access to all our news, views and analysis
Newcastle
Nothing happens at Newcastle without Ashley giving a green light and having worked under the assumption that he did not enjoy working with a manager who has challenged him at every turn - and he has not at times - it seems Ashley has decided a manager as good as Benitez is worth the hassle after all.
Ashley has never had a manager as good as Benitez. Everybody else could see it, everyone else knew it would be foolish to lose him and for a man like Ashley, who sees the world through £ signs, it seems the penny has eventually dropped.
If the two have spent most of the last 18 months dancing around each other like a matador taunting an angry Spanish bull, things have changed. If they are dancing, it is to a soft rock ballad. They have not quite embraced, but eye contact has been made and the flames of mutual attraction have sparked.
English Premier League
Team P W D L GD Pts
1 Liverpool 32 24 7 1 53 79
2 Manchester City 31 25 2 4 60 77
3 Tottenham Hotspur 31 20 1 10 24 61
4 Manchester United 31 18 7 6 19 61
5 Arsenal 30 18 6 6 24 60
6 Chelsea 31 18 6 7 18 60
7 Wolverhampton Wanderers 31 12 8 11 0 44
8 Leicester City 32 13 5 14 -1 44
9 Everton 32 12 7 13 3 43
10 Watford 31 12 7 12 -3 43
11 West Ham United 32 12 6 14 -7 42
12 Bournemouth 32 11 5 16 -15 38
13 Crystal Palace 31 10 6 15 -3 36
14 Newcastle United 31 9 8 14 -9 35
15 Brighton and Hove Albion 30 9 6 15 -11 33
16 Southampton 31 8 9 14 -15 33
17 Burnley 32 9 6 17 -22 33
18 Cardiff City 31 8 4 19 -31 28
19 Fulham 32 4 5 23 -43 17
20 Huddersfield Town 32 3 5 24 -41 14
Benitez’s preferred option has always been to remain at Newcastle. He just could not allow himself to do so if he was not going to be able to turn the club into a proper force in the Premier League again. He could not simply swallow another two years of the stress and strain of merely trying to stay in the Premier League.
It has always been about the project for Benitez. First came promotion from the Championship, then a season to stabilise in the top flight. He was let down badly last summer, he did not want to navigate the club through another relegation battle, but that he is what he got because the club either refused or failed to land enough of his first-choice transfer targets. Trust broke down and a divorce was on the cards.
Benitez was, indeed, preparing to leave but, importantly, was always open to the idea of staying. He just needed to receive the right assurances, to be offered the resources he needs to try and turn Newcastle into a top-eight club again. If Ashley is willing to give those guarantees, if he is willing to promise to fulfil Benitez’s demands, if he makes a concerted effort to keep him, then he will stay.
Mike Ashley
Mike Ashley recognises Rafa Benitez's worth CREDIT: AFP
He loves Newcastle, the club and the city, the adulation he receives, the passion that engulfs everything to do with the club, it stirs powerful emotions in a manager who has not been idolised like this since he was at Liverpool. Everybody wants to be loved.
We are not quite there yet, but everything points to a positive conclusion in negotiations. Nobody has told me this is certain, or that everything has been agreed, but as far as I am concerned, Benitez will be Newcastle United’s manager next season.
It will be the best news Newcastle supporters have had in years and it puts the Magpies into arguably their strongest position during Ashley’s 12-year reign. Whisper it, but Newcastle might just be a club to respect again.
Cheers. Very positive news.
Sky trying too hard these days like. That's horrendous TV.