Newcastle United are on the lookout for a new manager after Rafa Benitez’s departure, with the new season set to get underway in August.
TalkSport pundit Danny Murphy has seemingly defended Newcastle owner Mike Ashley’s decision to part ways with Rafa Benitez as he urged the fans to not ‘jump the gun’ and be a ‘little open-minded’ about why he left.
On Monday afternoon, Newcastle confirmed on their official Twitter account that Benitez will leave St James’ Park when his contract expires on Sunday.
The news has clearly devastated the Toon Army faithful as their relationship with controversial owner Ashley will only turn more toxic with pre-season set to start next month.
Former Premier League midfielder Murphy questioned whether there were other reasons behind Benitez leaving and that supporters shouldn’t just rush to easy conclusions.
“This is where Newcastle fans need to be a little bit open-minded: is it him that’s saying, ‘You’ve offered me a contract, but I’ve got something better’?” Murphy questioned on TalkSport. You never know the dynamic of a manger’s family life.
“Let’s not jump the gun and say it’s Newcastle’s fault for not giving him enough money. They might’ve offered him a transfer budget and a good wage. If it is Newcastle just being tight, then they deserve a kick up the you-know-what, because he’s a very trustworthy manager who’s going to make them better with a bit of investment.
“But until the facts are out, it’s hard to hypothesise and say it’s Newcastle not being ambitious. I think there could be some ulterior reasons why he’s left… if there’s a better offer, which is highly likely, or there’s family reasons.”
In all honesty, Newcastle are in a shambolic mess and they only have one person to blame and that is Ashley and those who represent him in the boardroom.
They don’t have a manager in place for next season, and with it, they are yet to sign any senior players this summer with their current crop surely now questioning their future at the North East club.
Newcastle have suffered two relegations under Ashley’s ownership, and as things stand, he is sending them on another road to relegation.
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