Lets all laugh at Newcastle

[Dirty Ewok]

I tend to agree. He’s done a decent job there, but Eddie Howe has done a much better job at Bournemouth with fewer resources.

I’m not convinced that Rafa is such an elite manager tbh. Effective under certain circumstances, but probably not the best manager to get the best out of a middling club/squad like Newcastle.

I agree that Howe has done better with Bournemouth but at NUFC Rafa had a net transfer profit of £11m over 3 years so it isn't like he was spending like crazy to get them to perform.

At a minimum he was certainly doing enough with them to warrant him being told in person that he wasn't being kept on rather than finding out via Sky.

 

[Metalhead]

There's the mighty Bedlington Terriers n'all. Had a good cup run one year iirc.

Bedlington eh? Not familiar with them I must admit. Morpeth Town won the FA vase or trophy a couple of seasons back.

 

[King of Otters]

I agree that Howe has done better with Bournemouth but at NUFC Rafa had a net transfer profit of £11m over 3 years so it isn't like he was spending like crazy to get them to perform.

At a minimum he was certainly doing enough with them to warrant him being told in person that he wasn't being kept on rather than finding out via Sky.

Oh definitely. I also noticed in the official statement that there was no “we wish Rafa and his team all the best etc”.

No class.

 

[Krule]

One very important statement in all this....."However, it has not been - and will not be - possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives."

So it was clear to everyone concerned that an impasse had been reached, hands were shaken and goodbyes said. I cannot believe it was concerning salary as he's had no problem before with the club and nothing has changed for him to warrant or demand a massive pay rise....my first thought was that the club was unable to give him any assurances whatsoever regarding available funds for transfers. He has yet again been told to manage with what he's got and that was the final straw. His representatives wanted a spending budget figure and they were told either 'zilch' or Ashleys figures were a universe away from Rafa's.

I have no concern for the football club whatsoever, or it's future. I support Tottenham so the financial/administrational ramifications of Benitez leaving or Ashley selling bother me little as a person. I can however naturally relate to the supporters and how they must be feeling to see their club/team disintegrate in front of their eyes. They are a special breed up there, hard working and plain speaking but the passion for the game is there for all to see. They deserve better, so with that in mind I hope the takeover happens and brighter times lie ahead for the toon army.

PS. Maybe that's it...the takeover is going ahead and the new owners didn't want Rafa in charge or to incur the displeasure of the fans by sacking him when they moved in. They've told Ashley "Get rid of Benitez first then we'll put pen to paper"....
This Merlot is good stuff Hic !!.....

 

[mpickard2087]

Reading the BBC article it seems that out of the various grumbles transfer policy was the main issue - Benitez not being happy that he 'only' had 60m to spend plus whatever they raised from sales, and that the club have a policy of buying younger players with resale value.

I'm not inclined to stick up for Mike Ashley, but that's a sound policy used by many clubs, including ourselves, to improve and take steps forward. And if that transfer budget is accurate then you cant be pleading poverty, should be able to get in at least 3 or 4 players you like with that amount to spend.

If I'm someone at the football club, I think I'd be asking what the point of continuing negotiations any further were.

 

[Gassin's finest]

I tend to agree. He’s done a decent job there, but Eddie Howe has done a much better job at Bournemouth with fewer resources.

I’m not convinced that Rafa is such an elite manager tbh. Effective under certain circumstances, but probably not the best manager to get the best out of a middling club/squad like Newcastle.

Eh? Benitez has done astonishing with them by any margin. Newcastle in the championship had no right hiring a manager that's won titles.

 

[Tucker]

I don’t believe for a second that Ashley was going to let Benitez spend 60 million this summer.

 

[King of Otters]

Eh? Benitez has done astonishing with them by any margin. Newcastle in the championship had no right hiring a manager that's won titles.

Avoiding relegation playing dire football is hardly astonishing, is It?

 

[fortworthspur]

Pardew had a better winning percentage at Newcastle than Rafa (in the prem)

 

[Ben1]

Reading the BBC article it seems that out of the various grumbles transfer policy was the main issue - Benitez not being happy that he 'only' had 60m to spend plus whatever they raised from sales, and that the club have a policy of buying younger players with resale value.

I'm not inclined to stick up for Mike Ashley, but that's a sound policy used by many clubs, including ourselves, to improve and take steps forward. And if that transfer budget is accurate then you cant be pleading poverty, should be able to get in at least 3 or 4 players you like with that amount to spend.

If I'm someone at the football club, I think I'd be asking what the point of continuing negotiations any further were.

if the new boss spends 60mil i'll believe this. Until then, I will assume its bollocks fed to the press by Ashley. The man has no shame and wants to turn it on Rafa, which won't wash at all.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Avoiding relegation playing dire football is hardly astonishing, is It?

Sometimes football is about more than just league positions.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Yes @Ray_Evans ?

 

[King of Otters]

Sometimes football is about more than just league positions.

I agree, I’m just not sure why you’d cite that argument in defence of Benitez’s anti-football.

 

[Gassin's finest]

I agree, I’m just not sure why you’d cite that argument in defence of Benitez’s anti-football.

I'm not, I'm saying it defence of your being unimpressed by them "narrowly avoiding relegation". Like any team in a relegation fight suddenly starts playing expansive, passing football.

 

[Marty]

Pardew had a better winning percentage at Newcastle than Rafa (in the prem)

Pardew had a significantly better squad at his disposal with players like Cabaye, Cisse, Ba. Plus they had that anomaly season where they suddenly finished 5th. Benitez has a top end Championship squad and has overperformed with it.

 

[King of Otters]

I'm not, I'm saying it defence of your being unimpressed by them "narrowly avoiding relegation". Like any team in a relegation fight suddenly starts playing expansive, passing football.

There are teams on a similar or tighter budget to Benitez at Newcastle who have managed to avoid relegation while playing a decent brand of football. Bournemouth, Watford and Southampton being the most obvious examples.

Giving Benitez a free pass to not play football because he has his team fighting relegation every year is a bit much tbh.

 

[spursfan77]

I don't know where this "big club" tag comes from, maybe they are in the north east but they are in terms of general football in England. Since I started following football in 1987 they have pretty much been a yo yo team or bottom half of the table except for a few good years under Keegan. Yet the media bang on about it like they are. I find it utterly bizarre.

 

[Gassin's finest]

There are teams on a similar or tighter budget to Benitez at Newcastle who have managed to avoid relegation while playing a decent brand of football. Bournemouth, Watford and Southampton being the most obvious examples.

Giving Benitez a free pass to not play football because he has team fighting relegation every year is a bit much tbh.

Comparing the situations is disingenuous. Its not about giving him a free pass. Benitez has been deified on Tyneside because he fought the toxicity of Ashley and the depressing mood that has haunted the city for far too long. He not only understood the fans, he became one of them, giving back to the city and mingling with them. He 'got' the city, in a way no one has since Bobby. Look at the huge banners, the flags, the energy inside St James' last season. That wouldn't happen for Pardew (who got them 5th) because all Pard's did was push a ref and nut an opposition player.

Rafa brought them some dignity and someone they could support and get behind, because they knew he was on their side, against the regime that has ruined their club. Ashley, as usual, hasn't backed him, and just let his contract run out. Because 1) he doesn't care, and 2) Rafa had the support of the fans against him. Hence, its a real travesty that he's left. Whoever comes in now, the fans are going to be giving up, because they know they'll never feel like that again until Ashley is gone.

 

[Marty]

I don't know where this "big club" tag comes from, maybe they are in the north east but they are in terms of general football in England. Since I started following football in 1987 they have pretty much been a yo yo team or bottom half of the table except for a few good years under Keegan. Yet the media bang on about it like they are. I find it utterly bizarre.

Large stadium, big fanbase, a one club city where even those who don't take much interest in football support them.

They are a club that should be top 10 every single year without exception.

 

[hellava_tough]

I don't know where this "big club" tag comes from, maybe they are in the north east but they are in terms of general football in England. Since I started following football in 1987 they have pretty much been a yo yo team or bottom half of the table except for a few good years under Keegan. Yet the media bang on about it like they are. I find it utterly bizarre.

I can only assume it's linked to their consistently high home-game attendance figures.

I think at a minimum they bring in crowds in the 40000s, and up to 50000, and did so even in the Championship.

There are hardly any clubs in the UK that can do that.

That said, football has moved on and if you're looking to be considered a truly 'big' club, you have to have an international fanbase and compete in the CL (or at least the Europa League) on a consistent basis.