Some reports have suggested that Benitez could be sacked by Newcastle.
Kevin Nolan has told Newcastle United’s official website that Rafa Benitez has done very well since arriving at St. James’ Park, and dismissed headlines suggesting that he could be sacked.
Newcastle currently sit in 19th place in the Premier League table after eight matches, losing six times and drawing the other two against Crystal Palace and Cardiff City.
The Daily Mirror claimed Benitez could be replaced by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers over the weekend, but the Spaniard remains in the job for now. However, his contract does expire at the end of the season.
Former Newcastle captain Nolan ridiculed reports suggesting that Benitez would be replaced, stating that the former Real Madrid manager has done fantastically well since joining the club in 2016.
“I think he’s done a fantastic job since he’s gone in there,” Nolan said. “He’s done really well for the club. But he’s got to just make sure he gets his lads up for the challenge because it’s going to be a tough one. You never get any easy fixtures.
“It’s always the same with Newcastle; whether they’re at the bottom of the league or top of the league, something’s always going on and it’s crazy to think the headlines that it creates.”
In fairness to Newcastle, the fixture list has hardly been kind on The Toon with matches against Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United so far, but they failed to take a single point from any of the five.
Newcastle now have a chance to earn their first three points by playing host to Brighton at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon, with Chris Hughton’s side starting in standard fashion with eight points from eight games, in 13th place.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
