The ESPN pundit pulled no punches whatsoever when discussing Newcastle United.
Craig Burley has told ESPN that Rafael Benitez should “shut his trap” at Newcastle United and focus on making the best of a bad situation with regards to owner Mike Ashley.
Newcastle have lost both of their two Premier League games since returning to the top flight from the Championship last season.
Losing at home to Tottenham wasn’t a huge deal, given Spurs were favourites, but Benitez’s side also lost away to Huddersfield Town this past weekend in a result which might worry fans of the St James’s Park club a tad.
The Spanish manager’s working relationship with the owner has suffered throughout the transfer window, with the Champions League-winning coach suggesting on more than one occasion that Ashley is not backing him financially.
The Newcastle chief told Sky Sports earlier this month that it’s time for the club to start generating their own budget, having spent £250 million on United since taking over 10 years ago.
And Burley has told ESPN that the former Liverpool boss should take a cue from Huddersfield – who have six points from two games – and start spreading “some positivity” around the training ground.
He said: “I’m surprised he’s still there and he must be a fool if he believes the promises that were allegedly made to him [by Ashley] about spending were going to come true.
“Mike Ashley has done this to every coach who has been in charge while he’s owned that football club.
“When you see the likes of Huddersfield getting results and teams who can dig results out, maybe Benitez has to shut his trap and actually get on the training field and putting some positivity on the training ground.”
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