Nine more days until Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle contract is up, but could the Spaniard have already begun packing up his belongings at Darsley Park?
Some United supporters certainly think so after the club modified the product description for our new home kit to remove the gaffer’s name, as it was initially included in the opening line.
Previously, it read: “Show that you’re a true Magpie when you hit St James’ Park in support of Rafa Benitez’s men in this Newcastle United 19/20 Home S/S Replica Football Shirt from Puma.”
However, after some fans caught note of his inclusion, it was changed to read: “Show that you’re a true Magpie when you hit St James’ Park in this Newcastle United 19/20 Home Players Authentic S/S Replica Shirt from Puma.”
#NUFC removing Rafa Benitez name from the promotional material for the new shirt might be an indicator he won’t be manager next season. @NUFC360 pic.twitter.com/rTJ81cfRLR
— James Shamim (@JamesShamim) June 20, 2019
Supporters raised their concerns with Benitez’s name being included in the promotion material, while his future at the club is still uncertain, to the club’s Head of Media Content Lee Marshall, who ensured that the correct team responsible for the club’s online store were duly alerted.
The changes were then implemented, but did not stop at the aforementioned alteration, as a further tweak has since been made so that it now reads: “Show that you’re part of the Toon army when you hit St James Park in this Newcastle United 19/20 Home S/S Replica Football Shirt from Puma.”
Including Benitez’s name in the product description for our new home strip comes as just the latest backlash for the club, with supporters initially taken back by the design and not in a good way.
Some dubbed it ‘rank’ and ‘awful’, while another supporter opted to create renders of possible variations that could easily be made so that it would be more appealing on the eye.
It was then revealed just how much the home kit would cost, with Newcastle and Puma charging the Toon fanbase a staggering £65 for the adult home shirt on its own – making it the most expensive in English football.
Now including and then removing Benitez’s name in the product description has sparked a fair amount of concern among the fanbase, even if it was removed due to the uncertainty in the Spaniard’s future…
Hes definitely gone
— PM_NUFC (@PaulMatthews123) June 20, 2019
Aye, I reckon so.
— James Shamim (@JamesShamim) June 20, 2019
He is gone already we’ve been mugged off AGAIN!!!!
— Alan B NUFC (@BROWEA) June 20, 2019
Even worse than Blackpool mate. We could be the next Sunderland ????
— George (@Geordie2302) June 20, 2019
This isn’t a good sign! I am just praying this takeover goes ahead – I’m still positive/deluded. If this doesn’t happen we really are in crisis! Don’t even get me started on our new home kit and with it being the most expensive in the premier league. #StayPositive
— Steve Dench (@SteveDench86) June 20, 2019
What clowns
— David Singleton (@mindblower46) June 21, 2019
But while some fans were concerned by the alteration being an indicator to Benitez’s future, there were many who poured cold on the suggestion…
No, he’s been removed because he hasn’t yet signed a new contract therefore it’s misleading. It doesn’t mean he won’t though. #nufc
— NUFC Away (@NUFC_1987) June 21, 2019
Fans complained so Lee’s had the page changed…
Hes not signed the new contract so factually its absolutely correct, as the new season starts in August.
I’m sure if he does sign his name will appear again..— Simon Nicols (@sinicols) June 21, 2019
I seen a tweet yesterday to @LeeMarshall9 about Rafas name being used to sell the new strip, when he might not be here, so i think they have changed it for that reason and not the fact he has gone.
— ⚫⚪David Gibson⚪⚫ (@_NUFC__1892_) June 20, 2019
Maybe they’re just being careful as there is so little time left on his contract.
Don’t read too much into it.
— Goose Springsteen (@GooseC1) June 21, 2019
Rafa’s name was removed due to fan’s saying it shouldn’t be used to sell a shirt due to there being no guarantee he’ll be there next season #NUFChttps://t.co/O8Lc5aeU2u
— NUFC Gallowgate (@NUFCgallowgate) June 21, 2019