Newcastle boss Benitez’s future is in doubt with only a year left on his contract.
Newcastle United legend Paul Gascoigne has told BetStars has urged owner Mike Ashley to back Rafa Benitez in the upcoming transfer window, if the club want to keep the Spanish boss.
Doubts remain over the future of Benitez at St. James’ Park with only a year left to run on his current contract on Tyneside, as frustration over transfers continue.
The former Real Madrid and Liverpool manager has been told by Ashley that he can spend anything the club generates, but is unwilling to inject any of his own cash into Benitez’s transfer kitty.
Gascoigne believes Ashley must back Newcastle’s manager in the upcoming window, if they want to rival the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as keeping Champions League winner Benitez in the dugout.
“I think someone like Rafa, it’s always important for any team to keep a manager like that. You look at his CV. But nowadays you’ve got to spend money, it’s as simple as that,” Gascoigne said.
“In order to compete with the likes of Man City and Man United, or any club for that matter, you need to spend and spend well. If they want to keep Rafa, they need to give him the money to improve the squad. If they don’t he won’t want to stay.”
Newcastle finished in a superb tenth place last season despite Benitez being constantly frustrated in the transfer window. In January, he missed out on Daniel Sturridge and Nicolai Jorgensen, before settling for flop striker Islam Slimani.
Indeed, this summer, the highly-respected manager must be given the funds to add a new centre-forward to his squad, while a new centre-back and a new midfielder are also likely to be areas that require strengthening.
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