Rafa Benítez (now unemployed)

[Bondedcrown]

Dear me!

 

[Guest neesy111]

The statement doesn't really tie in with the rather more optimistic noises that Rafa was making towards the end of last season, and the apparent position of the club of hoping till the last minute that Rafa would sign.

 

I'm guessing he should have just announced he was leaving in March then.

[Bondedcrown]

Ashley doesn't care about the club as a footballing institution, why not develop  the training ground/youth academy and the stadium regardless of the manager?

[Conjo]

Cronky man, that's a helluva lot of speculation in favor of the people who are known to lie and deceive the fans. You can't just make up an imaginary contract offer to argue against what Rafa has said.

[Sho Time]

The statement doesn't really tie in with the rather more optimistic noises that Rafa was making towards the end of last season, and the apparent position of the club of hoping till the last minute that Rafa would sign.

 

There's a comment about the takeover in there, which indicates to me that Rafa was putting things on hold in case that went ahead and he had the chance to work with a different owner who would loosen the purse strings.

 

As for being offered a contract on the same money with less control over transfers, I suspect that the situation was that Rafa had the choice between a long contract with more control, or a short-term rolling contract with less control, if he didn't want to commit at that point. The club have made it clear that they don't want to spend large transfer fees for a manager who could quit any moment, and be left with players that the new man didn't want.

 

This also explains the curious impasse over Joelinton, where Rafa seems to have taken the position that he quite liked the player, but not at that price. The club would only spend that sort of money for a manager with a long-term commitment, but Rafa wanted to see what developed in other areas.

 

So we had a complete impasse until the club had to take action in order to prepare for the new season.

 

People can still criticise the club for unnecessary penny-pinching if that's how they see it, but I think Rafa's behaviour was a little more complicated than his statement indicates.

 

You don't think that was more to do with

MA: we'll give you XXXXX if you sign

RB: OK, sounds good, very promising

MA: well, are you going to sign?

RB: Can I have it in writing?

MA: ...

MA: ...

MA: ...

MA: No

RB: OK well until you actually give me proof you're serious I'm not signing

MA: ...

MA: ...

MA: ...

MA: ...

MA: ...

MA: ...

MA: Bye then OH IT'S BZG'S FAULT THEY DIDN'T WANT HIM, OH HE ONLY WENT FOR MONEY, OH HE PLAYED THE FANS, OH KEITH PLEASE PUT OUT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO CONVINCE THESE STUPID GULLIBLE FUCKERS THAT IT WAS HIS FAULT

[Raconteur]

I read Rafa’s reference to the 24yo thing as meaning he knew well in advance Mike Ashley would never sign Rondon. Joelinton was what Ashley was spending his £40m on, not Rondon and the change on facilities. At that point, anything the club offered Rafa was “not serious”. Hope of a takeover was his second option (!), or getting another job

 

Gotta say I found Cronky’s read a bit different than mine, but there are a million reasons both NUFC and Rafa spoke obliquely about the future during the season.

[Pandamninator]

The statement doesn't really tie in with the rather more optimistic noises that Rafa was making towards the end of last season, and the apparent position of the club of hoping till the last minute that Rafa would sign.

 

There's a comment about the takeover in there, which indicates to me that Rafa was putting things on hold in case that went ahead and he had the chance to work with a different owner who would loosen the purse strings.

 

As for being offered a contract on the same money with less control over transfers, I suspect that the situation was that Rafa had the choice between a long contract with more control, or a short-term rolling contract with less control, if he didn't want to commit at that point. The club have made it clear that they don't want to spend large transfer fees for a manager who could quit any moment, and be left with players that the new man didn't want.

 

This also explains the curious impasse over Joelinton, where Rafa seems to have taken the position that he quite liked the player, but not at that price. The club would only spend that sort of money for a manager with a long-term commitment, but Rafa wanted to see what developed in other areas.

 

So we had a complete impasse until the club had to take action in order to prepare for the new season.

 

People can still criticise the club for unnecessary penny-pinching if that's how they see it, but I think Rafa's behaviour was a little more complicated than his statement indicates.

 

Any luck getting your Mike Ashley Wonderland chant going at the game?

[Cronky]

Cronky man, that's a helluva lot of speculation in favor of the people who are known to lie and deceive the fans. You can't just make up an imaginary contract offer to argue against what Rafa has said.

 

I didn't make that up myself. In that interview with the Daily Mail, Ashley said that the Rafa camp were asking for a one year extension, but he wanted to sign Rafa long-term. Presumably the one year extension was to give Rafa time to see what was happening with a takeover.

 

 

[Sho Time]

Cronky man, that's a helluva lot of speculation in favor of the people who are known to lie and deceive the fans. You can't just make up an imaginary contract offer to argue against what Rafa has said.

 

I didn't make that up myself. In that interview with the Daily Mail, Ashley said that the Rafa camp were asking for a one year extension, but he wanted to sign Rafa long-term. Presumably the one year extension was to give Rafa time to see what was happening with a takeover.

 

:lol: You honestly believe - with Mike Ashley's track record of wanting yes-men and stooges who won't question him - that is true. Any of it!?

[Pandamninator]

Cronky man, that's a helluva lot of speculation in favor of the people who are known to lie and deceive the fans. You can't just make up an imaginary contract offer to argue against what Rafa has said.

 

I didn't make that up myself. In that interview with the Daily Mail, Ashley said that the Rafa camp were asking for a one year extension, but he wanted to sign Rafa long-term. Presumably the one year extension was to give Rafa time to see what was happening with a takeover.

 

Oh sweet baby jesus

 

The Club admitted to the Tribunal that it repeatedly and intentionally misled the press, public and the fans of Newcastle United.

 

Gutierrez was found to be a "credible and convincing witness".

 

Managing director Charnley's evidence was described as "evasive and lacking in credibility".

 

A decade later :

 

Hey guys' date=' Mike Ashley said Rafa eats babies in an interview, sure glad we got rid of that monster - isn't Mike swell - we should be thankful for everything he has done for us, so much better than those dark days of Keegan and Robson[/quote']

 

[Wilson]

Cronky man, that's a helluva lot of speculation in favor of the people who are known to lie and deceive the fans. You can't just make up an imaginary contract offer to argue against what Rafa has said.

 

I didn't make that up myself. In that interview with the Daily Mail, Ashley said that the Rafa camp were asking for a one year extension, but he wanted to sign Rafa long-term. Presumably the one year extension was to give Rafa time to see what was happening with a takeover.

 

 

'Ashley said.....'

 

Seriously...what makes you believe anything he says?

 

Even if it's true he asked for a 1 year extention, it would tie in with what he's saying about not trusting them.  He wanted to see if they came through on any of their promises this time without being tied down to another long term contract of bullshit.

 

Howay man.

[NEEJ]

Let him be, man. He's in mourning over his Jacky being left out of the 25.

[Cronky]

Cronky man, that's a helluva lot of speculation in favor of the people who are known to lie and deceive the fans. You can't just make up an imaginary contract offer to argue against what Rafa has said.

 

I didn't make that up myself. In that interview with the Daily Mail, Ashley said that the Rafa camp were asking for a one year extension, but he wanted to sign Rafa long-term. Presumably the one year extension was to give Rafa time to see what was happening with a takeover.

 

Oh sweet baby jesus

 

The Club admitted to the Tribunal that it repeatedly and intentionally misled the press, public and the fans of Newcastle United.

 

Gutierrez was found to be a "credible and convincing witness".

 

Managing director Charnley's evidence was described as "evasive and lacking in credibility".

 

A decade later :

 

Hey guys' date=' Mike Ashley said Rafa eats babies in an interview, sure glad we got rid of that monster - isn't Mike swell - we should be thankful for everything he has done for us, so much better than those dark days of Keegan and Robson[/quote']

 

 

This tribunal statement over the issue of whether Keegan had control of transfers does tend to get trotted out whenever it's convenient to disbelieve absolutely anything that Ashley says. You have to look at each situation as it comes.

[Darth Crooks]

No you don’t

[snabelkabel]

Ashleysplaining

[HawK]

Cronky do you let him rest his gut on your back like a good boy?

[Tsunami]

It was widely reported that Rafa was offered £50M per season plus player sales for the next 2 seasons if he stayed:

 

“Rafael Benitez will reportedly be given more than £100million to spend over the next two seasons at Newcastle United if he decides to stay.

 

Benitez’s contract expires at the end of the season and he has yet to commit his future to the club.” was reported in May.

 

I don’t believe that either side has been completely open about what happened. I still believe that the club expected Rafa to compromise and stay, was the compromise the training ground and less control on some transfers, who knows?

 

The club made broken promises to Rafa and some or all of these contributed to him leaving. Rafa has indicated that he had decided to leave in May but couldn’t say anything, clearly the Chinese knew as he was on the plane over a couple of days after it was announced he was to leave. There were rumours of an email exchange over a weekend after which the club announced he’d be leaving.

 

I’ve no doubt Rafa left out of frustration and he’d come to a point where he’d had enough, nobody can criticise him on those grounds and he has the support of the fans on that.

 

Rafa is meticulous in everything he does, I’d love to know the full true story. We’re getting the glossy versions from both sides. I think it’s safe to believe that a 2 year offer had been on the table for quite a while and it all turned to shit over the details.

[Sho Time]

Cronky do you let him rest his gut on your back like a good boy?

 

[gbandit]

I believe Rafa entirely. Ashley’s an absolute shyster who will try any trick in the book to fuck other people over. Rafa is a gent who is absolutely obsessed with football and getting the absolute best results for whichever team he works for. He deserves to be paid handsomely for being an incredible ambassador, professional and brilliant manager. Ashley deserves to have his head shoved in a toilet filled with shit on an hourly basis

[Thumbheed]

Cronky man, that's a helluva lot of speculation in favor of the people who are known to lie and deceive the fans. You can't just make up an imaginary contract offer to argue against what Rafa has said.

 

I didn't make that up myself. In that interview with the Daily Mail, Ashley said that the Rafa camp were asking for a one year extension, but he wanted to sign Rafa long-term. Presumably the one year extension was to give Rafa time to see what was happening with a takeover.

 

Oh sweet baby jesus

 

The Club admitted to the Tribunal that it repeatedly and intentionally misled the press, public and the fans of Newcastle United.

 

Gutierrez was found to be a "credible and convincing witness".

 

Managing director Charnley's evidence was described as "evasive and lacking in credibility".

 

A decade later :

 

Hey guys' date=' Mike Ashley said Rafa eats babies in an interview, sure glad we got rid of that monster - isn't Mike swell - we should be thankful for everything he has done for us, so much better than those dark days of Keegan and Robson[/quote']

 

 

This tribunal statement over the issue of whether Keegan had control of transfers does tend to get trotted out whenever it's convenient to disbelieve absolutely anything that Ashley says. You have to look at each situation as it comes.

 

What has Ashley ever said or done that make him a reliable source?

 

Genuine question bytheway.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

It’s quite simple, in Ashley you have someone who sits down with the players and tells them he will give them all a bonus if we don’t go down. When they deliver their end of the deal, he does the opposite.

 

This is the same man who in the 3 years Rafa was here, you could count the times he looked him in the eye face to face on one hand.

 

This is the same man who allowed a manager of Rafa’s calibre to walk and replaced him with Steve Bruce of all people.

 

This is a man who doesn’t care about the club at any level other than the TV money.

 

Rafa on the other hand cared about everything and cared so much, he would rather walk away than be a co-conspirator and accomplice in stripping an institution of all its assets, of its dignity, history, traditions, sense of community, pride, duty to the sport, the game and above all else to the true shareholders and owners, the people of Newcastle and fans the world over whose money, time, emotions and bond is being bled dry.

 

Rafa owes us nothing nor the club, we owe him a lot and Ashley owes him even more for what he’s done for him. His loyalty and duty of care come free, at no extra cost, something the club gets for free at no extra cost too from our loyalty and duty of care which we don’t need to buy a season ticket or a replica shirt in exchange for.

 

Rafa cared more for the club than all those so-called Geordies or supporters who were there at the weekend, each paying customer an accomplice and co-conspirator of Ashley, thousands of replica Bishops, Barnes’, Charnleys, fascist stewards confiscating Sack Pardew/Ashley Out material, the kind of people Ashley gets to deliver his fuck offs and fuck yous, fuck your bonuses, fuck your cancer Jonas, fuck your Shearer, your Keegan, your fans forum, fuck your stadium name, fuck the facilities, the academy, fuck the land around the stadium, fuck stadium maintenance, fuck the shirt, fuck communication, fuck Newcastle United, fuck Newcastle Upon Tyne, fuck you Geordies, fuck the 69 Fairs Cup surviving members, fuck the FA Cup, fuck European football, fuck your 4 league titles, 6 fa cups, fuck your memories beating Barcelona 3-2, the San Siro, Feyenoord, fuck your 5-0 win against Man Utd, fuck your mother, fuck your father, fuck your kids, fuck the number 9, fuck Rafa and his fucking glasses, fuck your Blaydon Races, fuck Wor Flags, fuck your atmosphere, fuck you and your poxy shit club, fuck your pathetic bond with it, fuck your tears, fuck your feelings, fuck what you think, want, care about, fuck you, the fuck you gonna do? Fuck off away and don’t come back, were running a fucking business here. Next...

[Bondedcrown]

[Darth Crooks]

Choose life...

[TRon]

People bothering to seriously respond to Cronky, lol

 

He's not a million miles off it tbh, Rafa didn't want to sign up to having players like Joelinton signed over his own preferences such as Rondon. It was presented badly as if Rafa was being economical with the truth, but in reality there was a massive gap between what the owner and the manager wanted for Newcastle. Ashley wants profit, pure and simple, Rafa wanted success.

[Guest]

Anything the club say about Benítez turning down the job for money is rubbish. If it’s true, then you’d think a host of top managers would want a £6m a year job and being given a £40m striker.

 

Instead, we’ve went for the budget option as Head Coach and proof from Charnley that signings will be made regardless of whether the Head Coach wants them.