According to reports, the “shackle clause” in the Magpies manager’s contract has now expired.
Newcastle United fans have had one of the most highly rated managers in world football on their books since 2016 in the shape of Rafael Benitez.
The former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid head coach is absolutely adored by the Toon Army for having worked nothing short of miracles with the Magpies in recent years.
However, Benitez has often cut a frustrated figure at St James’ Park given he has often asked club owner Mike Ashley for reinforcements to turn his team into something more than a side merely treading water in the Premier League, but often to little avail.
According to the Daily Mail, the Spaniard – whose deal at Newcastle runs until the end of the season – had a “shackle clause” in his contract that means he would have reportedly had to pay £6million if he quit, but this has now apparently expired.
An exchange between Benitez and the press ahead of Tuesday night’s Premier League home game against Manchester City would have no doubt have set alarm bells ringing among the Toon Army fan base as he said would see how the next 72 hours played out before deciding if he will remain beyond the transfer window.
When asked by the Daily Mail if he would resign should the club have not signed any players by the closure of the window, the 58-year-old said: “We will wait until Thursday and see what happens.”
It appears that some Newcastle fans have already resigned themselves to losing Benitez imminently, and the collective fingers were pointed squarely at one person, judging by the Twitter reaction:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
