The Spaniard loves life at Newcastle United but would he swap it all for the world’s highest wage?
Just three months ago, Rafael Benitez set himself the ambitious target of emulating Sir Bobby Robson’s legacy at Newcastle United, as reported by the Daily Star. Therefore, with such lofty targets in his sights, it wouldn’t make a huge amount sense for the Spaniard to hightail it off to China with pound signs in his eyes.
The Mirror claim that Benitez has been offered an obscene £600,000-per-week deal to swap Tyneside for the Far East via an unnamed Chinese Super League outfit. Although, at this stage, does it even matter which club is supplying the briefcase full of banknotes?
For those of you without a calculator at hand, that would earn him £30 million a year, a cool £26 million more than old Sven is pocketing at Shenzhen.
Needless to say, this would make Rafa the highest paid manager in the history of world football. And it’s fair to say he wouldn’t have to worry about his new Chinese owners failing to stump up the funds for an out-of-favour Crystal Palace winger in the mid-season transfer market.
Then again, despite claims in The Mirror that Benitez is yet to make any assurances about his future beyond this season, his clear love of the club, the people and the city after turbulent spells at Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid means it seems extremely unlikely that he would swap it all for a quick buck.
Money can’t buy you love after all but promotion would earn Benitez a great deal of affection in the North East.
@mickquinn1089 @NUFC howay Mick Rafa wanted to be back with his family hence why staying at #nufc cannot see this happening at all
— Andy (@Moleps1892) February 26, 2017
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