Newcastle United are returning to the Premier League next season.
Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague (right)
Guillem Balague’s assessment of Rafa Benitez’s situation won’t fill Newcastle United fans with confidence.
Benitez has led the Magpies to promotion back to the Premier League in his first full campaign as manager at St James’ Park, but it hasn’t been completely plain-sailing for the Spaniard.
Speculation surrounding his future at the club has rumbled on since January, when his alleged attempt to bring back former Newcastle winger Andros Townsend was blocked by the Toon hierarchy.
Benitez, who can still win the title if Brighton fail to win either of their remaining two fixtures, still has two years to run on his contract on Tyneside, although whether he’ll last that long remains to be seen.
When asked if the former Liverpool boss is definitely staying at Newcastle, Balague – who is employed as Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert – replied: “You have to listen to what he has been saying, which is: ‘I need to sit down and see what is available money wise and see what we can do.’ Because remember what has held back Newcastle managers in the past is that the club has been run like a business more than a football club.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
“And I think what Rafa has been implying is that he would love for it to be run like a football club. It is not about him getting all the players he wants, it is about making sure he has a say about who is coming and going – enough of a say for him to feel that the squad is his.
“So there is still a long way to go…”
Newcastle’s promotion celebrations were cut short this week, when the club became the subject of negative media headlines – and losing Benitez this summer would further dampen the mood in the city.
Will Rafa Benitez stay at Newcastle United?
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