Rafael Benitez

[Unbelievable]

It can't be easy getting players in the current climate. Clubs are asking £50 mil for rank average players, Stones at Man City is a classic example.  We need at least 4 or 5 players and even with a £100 mil it gets you not a lot better than what we already have.  Rafa will not blow money for the sake of it, he will find what he wants at a price he's happy with or he won't buy and that is the right thing to do

 

I doubt Rafa cares much about how much players cost, just that he can strengthen the squad within the budget he's been given (and was reportedly happy with). It does seem though that he's having to fight others in positions of power over player valuations and ability.

[Unbelievable]

I wonder what Ashley makes of working with Rafa. He's used to being surrounded by submissive nobody's kissing his bottom in appreciation of the fact they got a job they're completely unqualified for, and that he can push around at will. Rafa obviously doesn't fit that profile and presents a treath to the way he likes to operate. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he privately thought is more hassle than he's worth, especially now it's job done and we're back on the gravy train. Guess we'll find out this summer if anything has changed or not, because I doubt Rafa will put up with going into the season with a squad destined for relegation.

 

 

MA isn't working with him though is he?

 

it's that f***ing tool Charnley, the non football man tasked with getting them over the line, good god.

 

Maybe not directly (much), but undoubtedly he's getting fed back what's happening through Charnley and that new lawyer with his unknown remit (and previously Carr). He went from pushing around Pardew and McClaren to being told what's what by Rafa (by proxy or not). Can Ashley handle a strong character challenging him oublicly as the club's most visible figure? Not even adecade ago, when he was himself still ambitious and enthousiastic about owning us he most definitely couldn't.

[shintonsghost]

It can't be easy getting players in the current climate. Clubs are asking £50 mil for rank average players, Stones at Man City is a classic example.  We need at least 4 or 5 players and even with a £100 mil it gets you not a lot better than what we already have.  Rafa will not blow money for the sake of it, he will find what he wants at a price he's happy with or he won't buy and that is the right thing to do

 

I doubt Rafa caree much about how much players cost, just that he can strengthen the squad within the budget he's been given (and was reportedly happy with). It does seem though that he's having to fight others in positions of power over player valuations and ability.

 

 

 

we don't know though do we? Rafa was proved wrong over Townsend, the board said no and got it right, plenty of time in truth and the price tag doesn't always mean success , no panic as yet from me , either way i'm looking forward being back in the big time 

[Hughesy]

Something a bit weird about the 'lawyer' - not listed on the law society website (that I can see) so can't have a current licence to practise. Not that that makes a huge amount of difference but makes you wonder what his actual role is.

[Shush]

It can't be easy getting players in the current climate. Clubs are asking £50 mil for rank average players, Stones at Man City is a classic example.  We need at least 4 or 5 players and even with a £100 mil it gets you not a lot better than what we already have.  Rafa will not blow money for the sake of it, he will find what he wants at a price he's happy with or he won't buy and that is the right thing to do

 

I doubt Rafa caree much about how much players cost, just that he can strengthen the squad within the budget he's been given (and was reportedly happy with). It does seem though that he's having to fight others in positions of power over player valuations and ability.

 

 

 

we don't know though do we? Rafa was proved wrong over Townsend, the board said no and got it right, plenty of time in truth and the price tag doesn't always mean success , no panic as yet from me , either way i'm looking forward being back in the big time 

 

The board was right over Townsend? Jesus wept. Despite what panned out it was definitely the right move to bring in some quality to help in January. Just because the board gambled and got lucky doesn't make them know better than Rafa.

[Eddy Chibas]

I wonder what Ashley makes of working with Rafa. He's used to being surrounded by submissive nobody's kissing his bottom in appreciation of the fact they got a job they're completely unqualified for, and that he can push around at will. Rafa obviously doesn't fit that profile and presents a treath to the way he likes to operate. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he privately thought is more hassle than he's worth, especially now it's job done and we're back on the gravy train. Guess we'll find out this summer if anything has changed or not, because I doubt Rafa will put up with going into the season with a squad destined for relegation.

 

 

MA isn't working with him though is he?

 

it's that f***ing tool Charnley, the non football man tasked with getting them over the line, good god.

 

Maybe not directly (much), but undoubtedly he's getting fed back what's happening through Charnley and that new lawyer with his unknown remit (and previously Carr). He went from pushing around Pardew and McClaren to being told what's what by Rafa (by proxy or not). Can Ashley handle a strong character challenging him oublicly as the club's most visible figure? Not even adecade ago, when he was himself still ambitious and enthousiastic about owning us he most definitely couldn't.

 

Some foggy memories on this forum.

[Unbelievable]

It can't be easy getting players in the current climate. Clubs are asking £50 mil for rank average players, Stones at Man City is a classic example.  We need at least 4 or 5 players and even with a £100 mil it gets you not a lot better than what we already have.  Rafa will not blow money for the sake of it, he will find what he wants at a price he's happy with or he won't buy and that is the right thing to do

 

I doubt Rafa caree much about how much players cost, just that he can strengthen the squad within the budget he's been given (and was reportedly happy with). It does seem though that he's having to fight others in positions of power over player valuations and ability.

 

 

 

we don't know though do we? Rafa was proved wrong over Townsend, the board said no and got it right, plenty of time in truth and the price tag doesn't always mean success , no panic as yet from me , either way i'm looking forward being back in the big time 

 

It's not about being right or wrong about individual players though, it's about being given a responsibilty and a budget to do the best job possible and being given the freedom and trust to do the job without being second guessed or having to explain/defend your decisions and having them cancelled above your head. How do Charnley and co plan to evaluate Rafa's performance (in the wider remit of also being responsible for player recruitment) if they keep meddling in it? Will Rafa be allowed the players he thinks he needs, or has nothing changed at all in practice?

[cp40]

its what Ashley does, puts blockers between himself and the people with ambition, but need to spend to achieve it.

[STM]

It annoys me that we never bid the asking price. We constantly seem to undervalue the players we are attempting to sign.

 

There's a time and a place. First season back, when we have a squad full of championship players, is neither the time not the place to be haggling over fees.

 

Get it done and let Rafa get on.

[Menace]

I don't get why he fucking backed McClaren but not Benitez, ffs.

[Foluwashola]

It annoys me that we never bid the asking price. We constantly seem to undervalue the players we are attempting to sign.

 

There's a time and a place. First season back, when we have a squad full of championship players, is neither the time not the place to be haggling over fees.

 

Get it done and let Rafa get on.

 

Tbh, we're kidding ourselves if we don't accept that these negotiation tactics and internal politics aren't prevalent at 95% of clubs.

[STM]

It annoys me that we never bid the asking price. We constantly seem to undervalue the players we are attempting to sign.

 

There's a time and a place. First season back, when we have a squad full of championship players, is neither the time not the place to be haggling over fees.

 

Get it done and let Rafa get on.

 

Tbh, we're kidding ourselves if we don't accept that these negotiation tactics and internal politics aren't prevalent at 95% of clubs.

 

Ignoring the large fee, Everton just paid 30m for Pickford, a fee most said was too much. They didnt quibble over the fee because they wanted the player.

 

We never seem to stump up the money to get key targets.

[TRon]

I wonder what Ashley makes of working with Rafa. He's used to being surrounded by submissive nobody's kissing his bottom in appreciation of the fact they got a job they're completely unqualified for, and that he can push around at will. Rafa obviously doesn't fit that profile and presents a treath to the way he likes to operate. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he privately thought is more hassle than he's worth, especially now it's job done and we're back on the gravy train. Guess we'll find out this summer if anything has changed or not, because I doubt Rafa will put up with going into the season with a squad destined for relegation.

 

He got Rafa in precisely because hiring incompetents got us relegated twice. Even if it goes against the way he likes to work, he must have come to a decision that it needed to change because it wasn't working. Why would going back to the old model work any better now? I don't pretend to know how Ashley thinks but you would think he'd make his mind up.

[midds]

Don't buy this whole notion that Charnley can't get the deals done. Last summer he/we managed to do about 45 deals in and out of the club, if players aren't being signed then it's not because he can't but because there's a clear reluctance to do so. I'm really hoping it is all to increase the pressure and get some wheels turning.

 

The thing I'm seeing as a positive is the fact that whilst no one has come in yet, very few have left either, the squad must be huge and loads need to be moved on. We may need to shift a few first, not from a point of view of raising funds to spend but to simply create space. It's worrying given Ashley's previous though, anyone who says they're not bothered by what they've read in the last 24 hours needs their head checking.

[TRon]

I can well imagine that Rafa is getting concerned with the lack of activity. It might just be that after January he's giving the hierarchy a gentle kick up the arse by leaking his worries through the press. It doesn't mean that deals aren't in place, just that he's not going to believe it until the ink's on the paper. Can't say I blame him tbh, it's quite possible he's given a list of targets and we've tried to go for more asset friendly alternatives.

[Mole_Toonfan]

Honestly I get Rafa being frustrated but the examples used are not exactly due to the club being cheap as usual tbh.

 

Cabellero wants to go to Chelsea, can't really do much about that. Delph there hasn't been enough information out to say anything but there hasn't been any inclination we have baulked at any prices, same goes for Mangala really.

 

With Abraham it sounded more like Agents and Chelsea and fucking around more than anything else and the lad from Eibar has a release clause which I think will be done personally.

 

There's far much more to this than just the club being cheap as shit and refusing to pay.

[astraguy]

It's worrying the club haven't dismissed this quickly clubs who have a manager the fans don't want to lose would normally dismiss this right away

[Foluwashola]

It's worrying the club haven't dismissed this quickly clubs who have a manager the fans don't want to lose would normally dismiss this right away

 

If they respond directly to every piece of shite the Daily Mail print they'll never have time for anything else.

[Guest neesy111]

It's worrying the club haven't dismissed this quickly clubs who have a manager the fans don't want to lose would normally dismiss this right away

 

If they respond directly to every piece of shite the Daily Mail print they'll never have time for anything else.

 

This isn't just the Daily Mail reporting this, the thread title says it ffs.

[Foluwashola]

It's worrying the club haven't dismissed this quickly clubs who have a manager the fans don't want to lose would normally dismiss this right away

 

If they respond directly to every piece of shite the Daily Mail print they'll never have time for anything else.

 

This isn't just the Daily Mail reporting this, the thread title says it ffs.

 

Whey if the thread title says it

[xLiaaamx]

Charnley's been instructed to play hardball according to the chronicle. Not much is going to get done this summer.

[Skeletor]

Charnley's been instructed to play hardball according to the chronicle. Not much is going to get done this summer.

 

Everything had been going too well. Definitely needs more Ashley sabotage.

[astraguy]

Charnley's been instructed to play hardball according to the chronicle. Not much is going to get done this summer.

Care to post the article ? The chronicle website pisses me off with the video + added pop up

[Greg]

It's worrying the club haven't dismissed this quickly clubs who have a manager the fans don't want to lose would normally dismiss this right away

 

The manager has directly briefed the press. They are not going to dismiss it as it would only make the situation worse between Benitez and Charnley / Ashley.

[xLiaaamx]

Newcastle United fans are beginning to become accustomed to doubts being raised over Rafa Benitez’s St James’ Park future at regular intervals.

 

And as well they should - because, while Mike Ashley remains involved with Newcastle United, potential conflict between the stubborn, unpredictable owner and his single-minded, politics-playing manager will never be too far away.

 

Benitez has been on Tyneside for 15 months now, and already there have been at least three occasions where he has sought serious reassurances from the Newcastle hierarchy.

 

Unlike some of his predecessors under Ashley, Benitez will not sit idly by when he feels promises are not being kept by the Magpies board.

 

After the failed January window, when Benitez wanted two additions to his squad and was instead left to stew without any signings, he ensured his feelings were made known to Ashley .

 

First, there was the pointed interview on Sky Sports where the Spaniard made it clear it was not his “decision” to fail to sign anyone.

 

Then, over the next few days, Benitez made sure his discontent reached Ashley through the media.

 

He was never set to walk away mid-season, but he required reassurances at the end of the campaign - and most importantly he needed trust to be restored after a January in which promises were, in his view, unkept.

 

At the start of February, one national newspaper oversold Benitez’s anger as the Spaniard being “on the brink”.

 

It feels like this latest round of Sunday-morning headlines are doing likewise - though, once again, they do reflect Benitez’s current mood.

 

There is no doubt Benitez is extremely frustrated by Newcastle’s lack of progress so far this summer - he has made that clear to managing director Lee Charnley during meetings over the past fortnight, with more scheduled in the coming days too - but is he really on the verge of walking?

 

At this stage, resignation claims appear premature. But tensions are beginning to rise behind closed doors, with Benitez demanding an imminent breakthrough in the market.

 

Christian Atsu is United’s only summer signing so far, despite Benitez hoping for five additions by the time pre-season training begins on July 3.

 

Newcastle are set to miss out on free-agent goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who is close to joining Chelsea, while forward Tammy Abraham is understood to have chosen Swansea City over United.

 

A deal for Florian Lejeune has been agonisingly close to completion for a fortnight now, yet the defender remains an Eibar player - and such delays are angering Benitez, who wants to wrap these deals up and then move on to other targets.

 

Unfortunately, it seems as if Ashley’s frugal approach to transfer negotiations are hampering United’s progress.

 

Last summer, Ashley’s penny pinching was put to one side in order to secure the signings of Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle. This summer, Charnley is believed to have been instructed to haggle over minute payments in multi-million deals in a bid to keep costs as low as possible.

 

Given Newcastle’s restricted transfer budget - which will be somewhere between £80million-£120m, depending on money recouped from player sales - this makes sense to an extent. But Newcastle now risk missing out on players due to their unwillingness to pay what they perceive to be inflated prices, despite the fact the market they are attempting to operate in has reached ludicrous levels.

 

Talk of potential Chinese investment has not aided the situation either.

 

Newcastle’s transfer progress has slowed significantly since news of Ashley’s willingness to sell part or all of the club emerged a fortnight ago.

 

Though Benitez was informed of potential interest in the club during face-to-face meetings with Ashley last month, he has not been kept up to date with the ownership situation - and that has also increased tensions.

 

Graham Carr’s departure as chief scout this week marked a minor breakthrough for Benitez, who had decided his marriage of inconvenience with the talent spotter could not continue further, but the Spaniard remains concerned that promises are not being kept.

 

Remember though that it was not until June 29 last summer before Newcastle made a transfer breakthrough. Benitez knows this, but he expects to see signings arriving within the next week, otherwise his exasperation is likely to boil over.

 

Ashley’s decade-long ownership of Newcastle unfortunately highlights that, as long as the Sports Direct magnate remains involved with the Magpies, potential conflicts will regularly arise with a manager as strong willed as Benitez.

 

The billionaire is prone to making arbitrary, off-the-cuff decisions which are in direct opposition to anything he may have previously stated or agreed to.

 

Previous managers may have been willing to swallow that unpredictability in order to remain in situ at St James’ Park.

 

But not Benitez. He has extremely ambitious, long-term plans for Newcastle and he expects to be backed.

 

Ashley needs to heed this latest warning and instruct Charnley to get signings through the door imminently. Otherwise a potential collision course between manager and owner awaits.