Rafa Benítez (now unemployed)

[TRon]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

[Tribesman]

I remember last summer after the Braga match this guy saw Ashley at a pub and asked him if was going to back Benitez in the transfer market which Ashley responded by saying not a penny more which turned out to be true. Its why Ashley not giving Benitez and his coaching staff bonuses is not a big and he just set out to make life as difficult as possible for Benitez if he didn't fall in line.

 

https://twitter.com/ketchell/status/1161198894077947907

Ashley actually said "NOPE!" when asked those questions in the pub, not another word. It was a mate of Ketch's as well, just so it doesn't get back to him or owt

 

Thanks for correcting me just a further example anyway of what sort of person Ashley really is.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

 

Yeah, I guess he just felt he would honour his contract and do his best. Because he’s a professional, unlike the rest of the management.

[Unbelievable]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

 

I’m still more surprised that he ever contacted us to sign up to this shitfest. It’s not like Ashley has done to Rafa something he didn’t do to other managers before. I love Rafa as much as the next fan, but in an odd way his presence possibly set the club back by taking the pressure right off Ashley. Fans might have given up on their season tickets by now, after three more years of the likes of Carver, McClaren and Bruce. I don’t blame Rafa obviously, but he can’t claim he didn’t know how Ashley operates before he joined and if he thought he might persuade him to change his ways he was sadly mistaken. I’m sure the likes of Keegan and Shearer would have been happy to explain that to him beforehand if he didn’t. Sadly I will always look back at the Rafa era with some regret for that reason, as brilliant a manager and a man as he is. I’m certain Ashley will have loved playing with his and the fans’ emotions.

[Disco]

A great get!

 

Incidentally, Samuel’s interview with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley really hasn’t aged well. You remember the one: when Ashley was allowed to write what amounted to his own, unchallenged press-release, which industry bigwigs described as a ‘great get’ and Newcastle United supporters – quite rightly – got very upset about.

 

Anyway, The Athletic announced this morning that Rafael Benitez is going to be writing a column for them this season and, in the first installment, Benitez takes aim at Lee Charnley’s accusation that he left the club (and moved to China) ‘for the money’.

 

We recommend reading the entire article, but this is probably the most malignant paragraph:

 

‘After that meeting, I knew they would not come back with a serious offer and, when it arrived, 19 days later, it was for the same salary as three years earlier and with less control over signings. Charnley’s comments in the programme about having a deal agreed for Joelinton in February explains a lot that I couldn’t understand at that time.’

 

 

This is why people got upset. This is why Craig Hope’s sneering at the ‘Jeremy Paxmans’ was so misplaced. Benitez is a highly political manager who exerts more control over the media than most realise, but Ashley was allowed to gloss over a really important period in the club’s modern history without so much as a hint of a journalistic challenge. Benitez’s version of events shouldn’t be taken as fact, but then that’s entire the point – the media’s role in this was to do what the public couldn’t, and hold people to account.

 

Actually – yes – if the average Newcastle supporter had been put in front of Ashley, they might very well have done a better Paxman impression.

[Boo Boy]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

he convinced himself he could change it around from the inside. he thought he could talk sense into those above him.

[HaydnNUFC]

What would an 18-year-old Newcastle supporter think about his club now?

 

Think it's fucking shit, mate.

[Consortium of one]

Was on the fence, re: subscribing the The Athletic but I had to read that article so I gave in...

[Disco]

What would an 18-year-old Newcastle supporter think about his club now?

 

Think it's fucking shit, mate.

 

:lol: I shouldn't laugh but this did make me chuckle.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

Rafa man 

 

More love for the club than the spineless bastards that have allowed Ashley to rebrand it as Ashley FC which is now complete.

 

So-called supporters.

 

Aye right.

 

Cheers cunts for paying Ashley to let Rafa leave for China replaced by Steve fucking Bruce.

 

You’d cry I’d you didn’t laugh

[Sean]

That bit about giving the players and staff a bonus for coming 10th but not Rafa and his coaching team is fucking shameful. Ashley is such a petty cunt.

 

I’ve also got a good feeling that Rafa might be telling some rich Chinese companies that Newcastle would be a great club to buy, while he is over there. I for one would welcome our new Chinese overlords.

 

This was when the players refused to do media duties I'm assuming?

 

Again Rafa showing his class. No bonus, no whinging at the time. Just wait and let the facts air.

[BergenMagpie]

Find it hilarious that MA and Charnley decided to have a go at Rafa. Theyre acting like kids at the playground winding up their "friend" in front of everyone, forgetting that he's seen them touching penises in the shower after PE.

 

They shouldve just kept their mouths shut and hoped that Rafa wouldnt elaborate on his time here.

[Sean]

Seems like they didn’t really want Rafa at all. Too good at exposing their bullshit most likely. If Rafa said no to Joelinton and they were trying to sign him in February, what does that tell you about their intentions in regards to Rafa’s upcoming contract negotiations.

 

It's clear they wanted rid of him. If they wanted to keep him they would have at least, you know, made some effort. 

 

After all this, I still can't grasp how some people are adamant the 'takeover' was definitely real. It's looking more and more likely that it was all one big joke at our expense.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Just like everything else, they wanted him only on 100% their terms. Absolute mess.

[Sean]

What would an 18-year-old Newcastle supporter think about his club now?

 

Think it's fucking shit, mate.

 

Jesus, when I was 18 we were in the Champions League with Sir Bobby in charge, taking us to the Nou Camp and San Siro. We had some limited players, some great ones, but I could really dream as a young fan. Must be so fucking grim for young fans now, there is literally no hope, no dreaming allowed at Ashley's version of the club.

[TRon]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

 

I’m still more surprised that he ever contacted us to sign up to this shitfest. It’s not like Ashley has done to Rafa something he didn’t do to other managers before. I love Rafa as much as the next fan, but in an odd way his presence possibly set the club back by taking the pressure right off Ashley. Fans might have given up on their season tickets by now, after three more years of the likes of Carver, McClaren and Bruce. I don’t blame Rafa obviously, but he can’t claim he didn’t know how Ashley operates before he joined and if he thought he might persuade him to change his ways he was sadly mistaken. I’m sure the likes of Keegan and Shearer would have been happy to explain that to him beforehand if he didn’t. Sadly I will always look back at the Rafa era with some regret for that reason, as brilliant a manager and a man as he is. I’m certain Ashley will have loved playing with his and the fans’ emotions.

 

Tbf I fell for it as well. I was convinced that agreeing to hire Rafa was Ashley finally conceding his methods weren't working. But he really couldn't give a toss about the football, I think he'd rather watch the club burn than admit he is wrong. We saw it with Keegan when we were riding high, and we have seen it again with Rafa. When it all goes tits up as it must do, then he'll hold a press conference again saying he has made mistakes but will learn from them, and blah blah blah. Rinse and repeat.

[Interpolic]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

 

I’m still more surprised that he ever contacted us to sign up to this shitfest. It’s not like Ashley has done to Rafa something he didn’t do to other managers before. I love Rafa as much as the next fan, but in an odd way his presence possibly set the club back by taking the pressure right off Ashley. Fans might have given up on their season tickets by now, after three more years of the likes of Carver, McClaren and Bruce. I don’t blame Rafa obviously, but he can’t claim he didn’t know how Ashley operates before he joined and if he thought he might persuade him to change his ways he was sadly mistaken. I’m sure the likes of Keegan and Shearer would have been happy to explain that to him beforehand if he didn’t. Sadly I will always look back at the Rafa era with some regret for that reason, as brilliant a manager and a man as he is. I’m certain Ashley will have loved playing with his and the fans’ emotions.

 

Tbf I fell for it as well. I was convinced that agreeing to hire Rafa was Ashley finally conceding his methods weren't working. But he really couldn't give a toss about the football, I think he'd rather watch the club burn than admit he is wrong. We saw it with Keegan when we were riding high, and we have seen it again with Rafa. When it all goes tits up as it must do, then he'll hold a press conference again saying he has made mistakes but will learn from them, and blah blah blah. Rinse and repeat.

 

The signs weren't bad to begin with - talk of "what Rafa wants, Rafa gets" behind the scenes.  That lasted one transfer window, where we made a substantial profit in net spend terms But players were signed that fit the needs of the squad in the manager's view.

 

Whether that changed because Ashley wasn't happy with a few of the signings, or it was always the plan to play nice to give the best chance of promotion then pull the rug from under Rafa and revert to type, only Ashley knows.

[D. Yimentov]

Reading that just makes me hate the 45,000 Ashley supporters even more.

 

I really wish Rafa, Kev or Al would come out and put the questions to Fun88ers.

[TRon]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

 

I’m still more surprised that he ever contacted us to sign up to this shitfest. It’s not like Ashley has done to Rafa something he didn’t do to other managers before. I love Rafa as much as the next fan, but in an odd way his presence possibly set the club back by taking the pressure right off Ashley. Fans might have given up on their season tickets by now, after three more years of the likes of Carver, McClaren and Bruce. I don’t blame Rafa obviously, but he can’t claim he didn’t know how Ashley operates before he joined and if he thought he might persuade him to change his ways he was sadly mistaken. I’m sure the likes of Keegan and Shearer would have been happy to explain that to him beforehand if he didn’t. Sadly I will always look back at the Rafa era with some regret for that reason, as brilliant a manager and a man as he is. I’m certain Ashley will have loved playing with his and the fans’ emotions.

 

Tbf I fell for it as well. I was convinced that agreeing to hire Rafa was Ashley finally conceding his methods weren't working. But he really couldn't give a toss about the football, I think he'd rather watch the club burn than admit he is wrong. We saw it with Keegan when we were riding high, and we have seen it again with Rafa. When it all goes tits up as it must do, then he'll hold a press conference again saying he has made mistakes but will learn from them, and blah blah blah. Rinse and repeat.

 

The signs weren't bad to begin with - talk of "what Rafa wants, Rafa gets" behind the scenes.  That lasted one transfer window, where we made a substantial profit in net spend terms But players were signed that fit the needs of the squad in the manager's view.

 

Whether that changed because Ashley wasn't happy with a few of the signings, or it was always the plan to play nice to give the best chance of promotion then pull the rug from under Rafa and revert to type, only Ashley knows.

 

I think Ashley agreed to go along with it for a while, but was never really comfortable with Rafa's insistence you need quality and experience. One or two iffy signings and he was probably "I was right all along". When Bruce takes us down or gets sacked, he'll probably be full of regret again, but only because relegation will cost him more than any profits he makes from these 24yr old signings.

[Shays Given Tim Flowers]

Is there a reliable figure for how much relegation actually costs? More specifically, when we come straight back up.

[mrmojorisin75]

Is there a reliable figure for how much relegation actually costs? More specifically, when we come straight back up.

 

Too many variables surely? I would think the only way to realistically work it would be to compare TV and Commercial revenues. Costs like wages and player sales should be ignored.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

For a club where the only objective is survival, I reckon relegation costs relatively little as long as you come straight back up. But the crunch comes when you don’t come straight back up, which could very easily happen to us.

[Disco]

Be the £30m odd yo-yo money won't it?

[Conjo]

What would an 18-year-old Newcastle supporter think about his club now?

 

Think it's fucking shit, mate.

 

Jesus, when I was 18 we were in the Champions League with Sir Bobby in charge, taking us to the Nou Camp and San Siro. We had some limited players, some great ones, but I could really dream as a young fan. Must be so fucking grim for young fans now, there is literally no hope, no dreaming allowed at Ashley's version of the club.

 

Same here. I remember having long conversations about our title chances the season we ended 3rd under Sir Bobby with my accounting teacher who was a Man Utd fan. I was so optimistic and hopeful back then and genuinely thought we had a good chance of winning. In some way since we ended up not winning anything during the good times I do wonder what is worse - to have nearly experienced it and getting all your hope squashed once Ashley went full retard or for full retard mode to be modus operandi.

[Thomson Mouse]

I'm surprised Rafa stuck it out for 3 years tbh, he must have known deep down that he was being taken for a ride. I think he just didn't want to ditch the fans otherwise he'd have packed in within a year.

 

I’m still more surprised that he ever contacted us to sign up to this shitfest. It’s not like Ashley has done to Rafa something he didn’t do to other managers before. I love Rafa as much as the next fan, but in an odd way his presence possibly set the club back by taking the pressure right off Ashley. Fans might have given up on their season tickets by now, after three more years of the likes of Carver, McClaren and Bruce. I don’t blame Rafa obviously, but he can’t claim he didn’t know how Ashley operates before he joined and if he thought he might persuade him to change his ways he was sadly mistaken. I’m sure the likes of Keegan and Shearer would have been happy to explain that to him beforehand if he didn’t. Sadly I will always look back at the Rafa era with some regret for that reason, as brilliant a manager and a man as he is. I’m certain Ashley will have loved playing with his and the fans’ emotions.

 

Tbf I fell for it as well. I was convinced that agreeing to hire Rafa was Ashley finally conceding his methods weren't working. But he really couldn't give a toss about the football, I think he'd rather watch the club burn than admit he is wrong. We saw it with Keegan when we were riding high, and we have seen it again with Rafa. When it all goes tits up as it must do, then he'll hold a press conference again saying he has made mistakes but will learn from them, and blah blah blah. Rinse and repeat.

 

The signs weren't bad to begin with - talk of "what Rafa wants, Rafa gets" behind the scenes.  That lasted one transfer window, where we made a substantial profit in net spend terms But players were signed that fit the needs of the squad in the manager's view.

 

Whether that changed because Ashley wasn't happy with a few of the signings, or it was always the plan to play nice to give the best chance of promotion then pull the rug from under Rafa and revert to type, only Ashley knows.

 

I think Ashley agreed to go along with it for a while, but was never really comfortable with Rafa's insistence you need quality and experience. One or two iffy signings and he was probably "I was right all along". When Bruce takes us down or gets sacked, he'll probably be full of regret again, but only because relegation will cost him more than any profits he makes from these 24yr old signings.

 

Iffy signings read little roi and the dangerous desire of Benitez to push might’ve had us in Europe once again.

 

I’m not sure why some people can’t figure this shit out.

 

He wants us in the prem, ideally. Wants to sign young players and sell them on for a profit while advertising his businesses on the world stage. We are a profitable business to prop up the rest of his shite, if we go down he’ll stick it back on the debt.

 

Why anyone would pay to watch that shite is incredible.