Rafa Benítez (now unemployed)

[Guest Howaythetoon]

You could talk all night about what makes Rafa great, and not even mention football. He's a phenomenal man who also happens to be a world class coach. We hit the jackpot when he chose to come here.

 

Aye, without a doubt.

[Danh1]

You could talk all night about what makes Rafa great, and not even mention football. He's a phenomenal man who also happens to be a world class coach. We hit the jackpot when he chose to come here.

 

Excellently put.

 

Wish some of our brain dead fans would remember this.

[Rod]

You could talk all night about what makes Rafa great, and not even mention football. He's a phenomenal man who also happens to be a world class coach. We hit the jackpot when he chose to come here.

 

Excellently put.

 

Wish some of our brain dead fans would remember this.

 

 

Hear hear!

[TBG]

Matt Law is a Villa fan btw, that's why he's so bitter.

 

Should know why spending money doesn't guarantee immediate promotion back to the Premier League then.

 

Aye but Villa only spent £50m where as we spent £346m and brought in 87 new players.

 

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Merry Christmas Rafa, you absolute legend.

[Guest firetotheworks]

My girlfriend - "I didn't know whether he was ready for Hero Squad (a selection of NUFC player etc figurines that I have on my desk at work and who are my footballing heroes) but you keep saying that you love him so I took a chance"

[Guest firetotheworks]

Should probably get a Keegan one now tbf.

[Nobody]

You've got yourself a good one there like

[HaydnNUFC]

Merry Christmas Rafa, you absolute legend.

[Mike]

I'm still like "Why is he here?"

[loki679]

Could have taken the wrapping off the tree first.

[HaydnNUFC]

Why no press conference today?

[Guest neesy111]

Why no press conference today?

 

[Dave]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-explains-vision-newcastles-14079015

Rafa Benitez believes Newcastle United can become a regular fixture in the top eight of the Premier League in the future if the Magpies make some important “changes” behind the scenes - and even without investment on the scale Manchester City have enjoyed over the past decade.

 

The Spaniard’s immediate priority is to ensure the Magpies retain their Premier League status this season, something he stresses will be easier if owner Mike Ashley allows Newcastle to strengthen during the transfer window next month.

 

Newcastle moved out of the bottom three on Saturday with a first win in two months - a 3-2 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium - but host runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

 

The Citizens have spent hundreds of millions of pounds improving their first-team squad, infrastructure and academy since they were bought by the Abu Dhabi royal family in 2008 - and Pep Guardiola’s current side appear destined to win the Premier League title, given that they are currently on a record-breaking 17-game winning run.

 

However, UEFA and Premier League Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules mean it is unlikely another team outside of the so-called ‘Big Six’ can heavily invest like Man City - but Benitez stresses Newcastle can still taste success in the future, as long as they make the “right changes”.

 

“If you talk about the massive money that has been spent in football in recent years, maybe it is not easy. But you never know,” Benitez replied when asked if he thought it was possible for the Man City revolution to be replicated elsewhere given FFP regulations.

 

“To improve teams like Newcastle United Football Club, if you change some things and do the right things, sometimes it is enough to be strong enough and be bigger and to compete.

 

“If you spend £200million or £300m every year, even if you make mistakes you will still have a good team. But without spending so much money still you can improve and do well. That is my idea if we are capable of staying in the Premier League.”

 

Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners Ltd remain in negotiations with Ashley over purchasing the club, with the prospective owners believed to be keen to ensure Benitez is backed during the January transfer window in order to bolster the Magpies’ chances of retaining their top-flight status.

 

A transfer of ownership is unlikely to be completed until the end of January at the earliest but, if it does happen and Benitez is able to make the changes he believes are necessary, he still sees “great potential” at a club he insists should be competing in the top eight of the Premier League every season.

 

“I think that still this club has great potential. If we do the things that we have to do now in January, and we stay in the Premier League then it’s one of the teams that has to be in the top eight,” Benitez said when asked where he thought he could take the club if he had supportive owners behind him.

 

“Watching the table, watching the size of the others teams, if we do what we have to do, it’s a team that can be in the top 10 for sure, and top eight if you do well, then compete.

 

“We have to be sure that this is a crucial time for us.”

 

Saturday’s victory over West Ham brought an end to a two-month barren run which had seen Newcastle lose eight out of nine matches and slip into the relegation zone.

 

But even before the Magpies secured the win which lifted them out of the bottom three for Christmas Day, the travelling Newcastle supporters at the London Stadium chanted Benitez’s name throughout - as well as ahead of the game, and also while the scoreline in east London remained level.

 

Few managers would receive such backing from their club’s fans following such an awful string of results, but Benitez believes Magpies supporters appreciate everything he and his staff have done for the club - as well as the fact he continues to challenge Ashley in public, something his predecessors rarely did.

 

Benitez said of the Newcastle supporters: “I think that the fans, they appreciate first of all that I decided to come when they were in a bad position. Afterwards, we decided to stay when we were in a worse position.

 

“Then we won the Championship, we promoted and the fans, they have experience and they know how difficult it is to do that. So this season, again they appreciate this every single game.

 

“They know, they have experience in the way that Newcastle United as a football club has been doing things in the last few years, and they know that you have to put everything together and these are the reasons why they still support the manager, the staff and players; because we try our best in every single game.

 

“Yeah [i will not stay quiet when I know something needs to be done], but I think that I have to be realistic and pragmatic. Sometimes you try to change things and then you cannot, so then you have to keep going.

 

“But still it is important to tell the supporters what we are trying to do, and in the way that we think we have to do things. If you cannot change everything, at least try - and then, after, give your best every single day.”

[andyman]

Wonderful read that 

[Heron]

I feel as though he read that banner about a club that tries and it made him want to come...

[nufc4eva]

I feel as though he read that banner about a club that tries and it made him want to come...

 

Everytime I read his seductive words it makes me want to cum

[Scoot]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-explains-vision-newcastles-14079015

Rafa Benitez believes Newcastle United can become a regular fixture in the top eight of the Premier League in the future if the Magpies make some important “changes” behind the scenes - and even without investment on the scale Manchester City have enjoyed over the past decade.

 

The Spaniard’s immediate priority is to ensure the Magpies retain their Premier League status this season, something he stresses will be easier if owner Mike Ashley allows Newcastle to strengthen during the transfer window next month.

 

Newcastle moved out of the bottom three on Saturday with a first win in two months - a 3-2 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium - but host runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

 

The Citizens have spent hundreds of millions of pounds improving their first-team squad, infrastructure and academy since they were bought by the Abu Dhabi royal family in 2008 - and Pep Guardiola’s current side appear destined to win the Premier League title, given that they are currently on a record-breaking 17-game winning run.

 

However, UEFA and Premier League Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules mean it is unlikely another team outside of the so-called ‘Big Six’ can heavily invest like Man City - but Benitez stresses Newcastle can still taste success in the future, as long as they make the “right changes”.

 

“If you talk about the massive money that has been spent in football in recent years, maybe it is not easy. But you never know,” Benitez replied when asked if he thought it was possible for the Man City revolution to be replicated elsewhere given FFP regulations.

 

“To improve teams like Newcastle United Football Club, if you change some things and do the right things, sometimes it is enough to be strong enough and be bigger and to compete.

 

“If you spend £200million or £300m every year, even if you make mistakes you will still have a good team. But without spending so much money still you can improve and do well. That is my idea if we are capable of staying in the Premier League.”

 

Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners Ltd remain in negotiations with Ashley over purchasing the club, with the prospective owners believed to be keen to ensure Benitez is backed during the January transfer window in order to bolster the Magpies’ chances of retaining their top-flight status.

 

A transfer of ownership is unlikely to be completed until the end of January at the earliest but, if it does happen and Benitez is able to make the changes he believes are necessary, he still sees “great potential” at a club he insists should be competing in the top eight of the Premier League every season.

 

“I think that still this club has great potential. If we do the things that we have to do now in January, and we stay in the Premier League then it’s one of the teams that has to be in the top eight,” Benitez said when asked where he thought he could take the club if he had supportive owners behind him.

 

“Watching the table, watching the size of the others teams, if we do what we have to do, it’s a team that can be in the top 10 for sure, and top eight if you do well, then compete.

 

“We have to be sure that this is a crucial time for us.”

Saturday’s victory over West Ham brought an end to a two-month barren run which had seen Newcastle lose eight out of nine matches and slip into the relegation zone.

But even before the Magpies secured the win which lifted them out of the bottom three for Christmas Day, the travelling Newcastle supporters at the London Stadium chanted Benitez’s name throughout - as well as ahead of the game, and also while the scoreline in east London remained level.

 

Few managers would receive such backing from their club’s fans following such an awful string of results, but Benitez believes Magpies supporters appreciate everything he and his staff have done for the club - as well as the fact he continues to challenge Ashley in public, something his predecessors rarely did.

 

Benitez said of the Newcastle supporters: “I think that the fans, they appreciate first of all that I decided to come when they were in a bad position. Afterwards, we decided to stay when we were in a worse position.

 

“Then we won the Championship, we promoted and the fans, they have experience and they know how difficult it is to do that. So this season, again they appreciate this every single game.

 

“They know, they have experience in the way that Newcastle United as a football club has been doing things in the last few years, and they know that you have to put everything together and these are the reasons why they still support the manager, the staff and players; because we try our best in every single game.

 

“Yeah [i will not stay quiet when I know something needs to be done], but I think that I have to be realistic and pragmatic. Sometimes you try to change things and then you cannot, so then you have to keep going.

 

“But still it is important to tell the supporters what we are trying to do, and in the way that we think we have to do things. If you cannot change everything, at least try - and then, after, give your best every single day.”

 

Deluded Geordie's always expect too much though and always hound their manager out after they've lost a few games.

 

The backing we still give Rafa after this s*** run of form totally ruins the stereotypical view everyone seems to have of us. Of course it'll be completely ignored...

[Yorkie]

Absolutely shameless is some of the media, like. We're notorious for not giving managers time (allegedly) (only five years of Pardew the majority quietly put up with)... now we're being questioned by many for not ganging up on Rafa. Grim.

[Dokko]

Absolutely shameless is some of the media, like. We're notorious for not giving managers time (allegedly) (only five years of Pardew the majority quietly put up with)... now we're being questioned by many for not ganging up on Rafa. Grim.

 

Seriously, don't worry about it. 

 

 

 

(Because that's what they want you to do)

 

[henke]

We've been the go to club on slow news days for years. Nowt happening? Let's all laugh at Newcastle. And the clueless neutrals lap it up.

[madras]

We've been the go to club on slow news days for years. Nowt happening? Let's all laugh at Newcastle. And the clueless neutrals lap it up.

I think we notice it more as it's our club aswell. Not to mention being the club with by the largest fan base to have won nowt for years so theres the intrest and many, many opprtunities to have a go.

[Carlito]

“We will follow you everywhere, we’ll always have your back. In spite of the lies they tell us, we’ll never doubt you. We are with you.”

[Unbelievable]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-explains-vision-newcastles-14079015

Rafa Benitez believes Newcastle United can become a regular fixture in the top eight of the Premier League in the future if the Magpies make some important “changes” behind the scenes - and even without investment on the scale Manchester City have enjoyed over the past decade.

 

The Spaniard’s immediate priority is to ensure the Magpies retain their Premier League status this season, something he stresses will be easier if owner Mike Ashley allows Newcastle to strengthen during the transfer window next month.

 

Newcastle moved out of the bottom three on Saturday with a first win in two months - a 3-2 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium - but host runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

 

The Citizens have spent hundreds of millions of pounds improving their first-team squad, infrastructure and academy since they were bought by the Abu Dhabi royal family in 2008 - and Pep Guardiola’s current side appear destined to win the Premier League title, given that they are currently on a record-breaking 17-game winning run.

 

However, UEFA and Premier League Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules mean it is unlikely another team outside of the so-called ‘Big Six’ can heavily invest like Man City - but Benitez stresses Newcastle can still taste success in the future, as long as they make the “right changes”.

 

“If you talk about the massive money that has been spent in football in recent years, maybe it is not easy. But you never know,” Benitez replied when asked if he thought it was possible for the Man City revolution to be replicated elsewhere given FFP regulations.

 

“To improve teams like Newcastle United Football Club, if you change some things and do the right things, sometimes it is enough to be strong enough and be bigger and to compete.

 

“If you spend £200million or £300m every year, even if you make mistakes you will still have a good team. But without spending so much money still you can improve and do well. That is my idea if we are capable of staying in the Premier League.”

 

Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners Ltd remain in negotiations with Ashley over purchasing the club, with the prospective owners believed to be keen to ensure Benitez is backed during the January transfer window in order to bolster the Magpies’ chances of retaining their top-flight status.

 

A transfer of ownership is unlikely to be completed until the end of January at the earliest but, if it does happen and Benitez is able to make the changes he believes are necessary, he still sees “great potential” at a club he insists should be competing in the top eight of the Premier League every season.

 

“I think that still this club has great potential. If we do the things that we have to do now in January, and we stay in the Premier League then it’s one of the teams that has to be in the top eight,” Benitez said when asked where he thought he could take the club if he had supportive owners behind him.

 

“Watching the table, watching the size of the others teams, if we do what we have to do, it’s a team that can be in the top 10 for sure, and top eight if you do well, then compete.

 

“We have to be sure that this is a crucial time for us.”

 

Saturday’s victory over West Ham brought an end to a two-month barren run which had seen Newcastle lose eight out of nine matches and slip into the relegation zone.

 

But even before the Magpies secured the win which lifted them out of the bottom three for Christmas Day, the travelling Newcastle supporters at the London Stadium chanted Benitez’s name throughout - as well as ahead of the game, and also while the scoreline in east London remained level.

 

Few managers would receive such backing from their club’s fans following such an awful string of results, but Benitez believes Magpies supporters appreciate everything he and his staff have done for the club - as well as the fact he continues to challenge Ashley in public, something his predecessors rarely did.

 

Benitez said of the Newcastle supporters: “I think that the fans, they appreciate first of all that I decided to come when they were in a bad position. Afterwards, we decided to stay when we were in a worse position.

 

“Then we won the Championship, we promoted and the fans, they have experience and they know how difficult it is to do that. So this season, again they appreciate this every single game.

 

“They know, they have experience in the way that Newcastle United as a football club has been doing things in the last few years, and they know that you have to put everything together and these are the reasons why they still support the manager, the staff and players; because we try our best in every single game.

 

“Yeah [i will not stay quiet when I know something needs to be done], but I think that I have to be realistic and pragmatic. Sometimes you try to change things and then you cannot, so then you have to keep going.

 

“But still it is important to tell the supporters what we are trying to do, and in the way that we think we have to do things. If you cannot change everything, at least try - and then, after, give your best every single day.”

 

[Heron]

“We will follow you everywhere, we’ll always have your back. In spite of the lies they tell us, we’ll never doubt you. We are with you.”