Newcastle United fans reacted angrily on social media to the news manager Rafa Benitez will leave this week. The club released an official statement on Twitter stating the 59-year-old will leave once his contract expires on June 30th.
The club is currently in takeover negotiations with The Sun reporting last week the deal was progressing well and the Bin Zayed Group expect the buyout to be completed by the end of the month. However, the middle-east company had not officially declared who they would want as manager once the purchase was complete.
Benitez has spent three years in charge at St James’ Park after taking over from Steve McClaren. The Times had reported last week that the Spaniard had been offered a one-year extension to remain the Magpies boss, but one of the conditions was a non-negotiable £50 million transfer budget.
The club was ranked 18th out of the 20 Premier League teams for transfer fees for last season according to Spotrac and many furious Newcastle fans believe without Benitez at the helm the club are set for relegation to the second-tier. The Spaniard has kept the Magpies in the division the past two seasons despite the clear lack of investment.
It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benítez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019.
Full club statement: https://t.co/IscVOvLxGD #NUFC pic.twitter.com/DWeBkpRubP
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 24, 2019
SEASON TICKET CANCELLED.
NO AMBITION. NO SOUL. NO HOPE.
SO WHAT’S THE POINT?
ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.
— Toon Photography (@toonphotography) June 24, 2019
Embarrassing for the club. A total shambles. He deserves better than this. Good luck to him.
— David (@DavidBeattie86) June 24, 2019
Shame on you Ashley! HUGE mistake! Club is DEAD now! Onle hope for takeover but im afraid it will not happen. Joke of a club!????????????
— Evgeny Kolobrodov (@Jason_Mag) June 24, 2019
You’ve ripped the heart out of our club to balance books and increase profit to invest in commercial gains. You will never be forgiven. Ever!!
— Jimmy Angel (@jimmyangel3) June 24, 2019
That’s me finished ????????????
— Rich Miller ⚫️Nufc⚪️ (@Rich1982Miller) June 24, 2019
This club is dead
— Cr8ig10???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@cr8ig10) June 24, 2019
Absolute failure from one of the worst owners in sport. Ashley has to go.
— Mike Sheerin (@Mike_Sheerin) June 24, 2019