Ex-Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas wants manager Rafael Benitez to be backed.
Jermaine Jenas has stuck the boot into Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley in an interview with Goal.com, claiming that a lack of backing for manager Rafael Benitez ‘makes him sick’.
It is no secret that the Newcastle boss is frustrated over failing to sign his top transfer targets this summer, and the Spaniard told The Mail last month that he wanted Ashley to keep his word and give him the money which was available in January.
Since that interview, the Magpies have spent around £21 million – on Jacob Murphy, Javier Manquillo and Joselu – but the former Liverpool boss is still said to be frustrated and, according to ex-player Shay Given, is not speaking with the owner at the moment.
Jenas, 34, previously spent three years at St James’s Park and the former midfielder-turned-pundit says that he backs Benitez – who led the club to Premier League promotion from the Championship last season – completely over this situation.
He told Goal.com: “I am 100 per cent with Rafa. It is difficult for me because when I was playing for Newcastle United, they were third in the league and playing Champions League football and consistently were finishing the in top four.
“Yeah they won the Championship and finished last season on a high but it almost makes me sick that the players and manager put their heart and soul into the league and then they are not backed to improve.”
Jenas went on to claim that Newcastle, who lost 2-0 to Spurs in their first game of the season at the weekend, could wind up losing the Champions League-winning manager in the near future unless he is given more money to spend.
“Right now, they are amongst the bottom three teams.
“He wants a chance to survive and that’s all he’s asking for. If they don’t get it, they could lose their most important person and that’s Rafa Benitez.”
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