Report: Rafa Benitez frustrated again as Newcastle talks drag on

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Rafa Benitez is reportedly far from happy with how talks over a new deal at Newcastle United are progressing.

According to a report from the Shields Gazette, Rafa Benitez has once again been left unhappy with how talks over a new contract and transfer kitty are progressing at Newcastle this summer.

Benitez has done a wonderful job at St James’ Park. After being unable to keep them up shortly after his arrival, the Spaniard guided the Magpies to the Championship title and has followed it up this past season with a 10th place finish in the Premier League.

Newcastle cannot allow for any complacency however. A stunning second-half of the season ensured that they were not involved in the relegation battle that many expected the Magpies to be contenders in, and Benitez was clearly hoping that Mike Ashley would give him the platform to build on the promise that they showed.

However, the Shields Gazette reports that despite talks over a new contract for Benitez and his transfer funds beginning as the campaign concluded, there has been no agreement between the two sides and the Newcastle boss is now growing frustrated – as he was in January when he was forced to make a handful of loan signings to boost his squad.

Benitez is arguably the best manager that Newcastle have had in a significantly long time – the 10th place finish this past season surely proves that – so it appears to be a major gamble for Ashley to not hand the 58-year-old the assurances that he is looking for. The Shields Gazette suggests that he wishes to be able to use his transfer budget how he likes, for example.

Driving Benitez out will infuriate the fans and leave the club facing a huge uphill task trying to make an appointment that is anywhere near the same level. And with the supporters understandably having a number of concerns about the squad, not giving Benitez what he wants could perhaps result in the Magpies throwing all of their progress away in no time at all.