Newcastle United have lost Rafael Benitez – and possibly Salomon Rondon too.
Newcastle United today gave fans the news they’ve been dreading; manager Rafael Benitez will be leaving the club on Sunday.
Benitez has been in charge at St James’ Park for over three years now, achieving hero status at St James’ Park having stayed with the club after their relegation in 2016.
Benitez guided Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, and achieved survival twice in a row despite being given little support by Mike Ashley.
Everyone has known for some time now that Benitez’s contract expires on June 30th, and there has been lingering hope that Ashley would finally secure his future – especially having signed club-record addition Miguel Almiron for him in January.
However, Newcastle today confirmed that Benitez is leaving on Sunday, and the search now begins for a new boss after failing to reach an agreement with the Spaniard.
The Magpies are now scrambling for a new boss with the transfer window hitting full swing, and striker Salomon Rondon now looks unlikely to join.
Rondon spent last season on loan at Newcastle and starred under Benitez, and was snubbing interest from Premier League clubs to give Benitez a chance to sign him permanently, as reported by The Chronicle.
Rondon has taken to Twitter to praise Benitez and wish him all the best, but that has led to a host of replies from Newcastle fans, with many believing that Benitez’s top target will no longer join the club with the Spaniard gone in a bitter double blow.
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