Paul Merson claims Pep Guardiola couldn’t do the job Rafa Benitez has done at Newcastle United

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Newcastle United will take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Monday night.

Paul Merson has brutally claimed that there is ‘no chance’ Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would be able to do the job Rafa Benitez has done at Newcastle.

Since moving to the North East in 2016, Benitez has had to work under a tight budget. He helped the club earn promotion back to the Premier League, secure a top 10 finish and they are now on course to stay in England’s top flight once again.

Meanwhile, over in Manchester, Guardiola has spent vasts amounts of money which has seen City win the title and two League Cups – they still have a chance to win every competition this season.

Speaking to Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News (30/03/2019 at 1:05 pm), Merson praised the work Benitez has done and he was also in awe of the size of Newcastle’s support.

“I think if he wasn’t the manager of Newcastle, they’d be bottom three,” Merson told Soccer Saturday. “Quite easily bottom three. What he gets out of these players, week in, week out. They all know what they’re doing.

“Playing on a Monday night against Arsenal, away on a Monday night, no trains back. You watch if they score there won’t be an empty seat there. It’s absolutely phenomenal [in regards to Newcastle’s following].

“I think he [Rafa] is up there with one of the best. We go on about Pep Guardiola and how great he is. Could he do what Rafa’s doing at Newcastle on what they’re getting? I am going to go with, no chance!”

The Noth East outfit, who are sitting 14th in the Premier League table, travel to the capital on Monday night to take on Arsenal as they bid to continue their good form in the league.

Prior to the international break, they recorded a late draw at Bournemouth with Matt Ritchie scoring a stunning stoppage-time volley.

Nonetheless, it’s going to be a tough match for Benitez’s side on Monday because they are coming up against a team that is vying to finish in the Champions League places.

Three points for the away team would move them up two places in the Premier League table and it would also be one of their best results of the season.