Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting on social media to claims shared by the Mirror that Mike Ashley blames United’s would-be owners the Bin Zayed Group for Rafa Benitez’s exit.
The boss officially left his duties on Tyneside on Sunday, June 30, after he failed to come to an agreement with Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley over extending his contract, as the Magpies chiefs were unable to offer the 59-year-old the assurances he was after in relation to the transfer market.
Ashley and Charnley had tabled a one-year extension, but the Spanish head coach decided against accepting their take it or leave it proposal.
Now, though, the Mirror claim Ashley did not keep Benitez on beyond his previous contract, as Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan does not want the Champions League-winning, former Liverpool manager in charge should his proposed £350million takeover go through.
The Mirror understand talks between representatives working for Ashley and Sheikh Khaled made it clear the Middle East-based group have their own targets in mind to stand in the St James’ Park dugout next season, with names like Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger still being muted.
Appointing either would leave the Bin Zayed Group facing a proposed £6million compensation fee for sacking Benitez if he had signed a new contract, and whoever now succeeds the former Napoli and Real Madrid boss would face an uncertain tenure.
When these claims were later shared on Reddit, this is how these fans reacted…
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