Rafa Benitez is prepared to leave Newcastle United this summer unless things change, despite the fact he loves the fans.
There is a genuine chance that Rafa Benitez could leave Newcastle United this summer unless there are some significant changes at the club, reports the Telegraph.
Benitez is about to enter the final year of his current contract at St James’ Park and while the Spaniard is keen to take the Magpies to the next level, he needs assurances from owner Mike Ashley that he will have the resources to make that happen.
The relationship between the manager and Ashley has become increasingly strained after three successive transfer windows in which funds have been limited and the 57-year-old’s advice has been ignored.
Benitez believes that Newcastle have the potential to be competing in the top eight and make a return to European football, but unless the hierarchy at the club give him the backing to try and achieve that he is prepared to leave.
This is despite the fact that the former Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid boss has a strong connection with the fans and is very happy with the support they have shown him.
“It’s not that I am right in every decision, but what’s clear is that if you want to be stronger we have to improve and we have to change things,” Benitez said.
“I came here with the idea to compete and to create a strong team and a strong club, to compete every year. What we have to do if we stay up, is improve. What I said when I said I wanted to stay (in 2016) was that I could see the potential for this club to be in the top 10 and even higher.
“Higher could be in the top eight, but it doesn’t mean it can be in there one year after finishing 15th for three years in a row. You have to be in the top 10, then the top eight, then top seven, six. It depends on consistency.”
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