This afternoon, Rafael Benitez will be looking to steer Newcastle United to their first Premier League victory of the 2018 / 2019 season.
However, the big question remains as to whether the Spaniard will remain at Newcastle United beyond this season.
Events behind the scenes, at St James Pak, suggest that the owners and Rafa don’t share the same vision for the club.
With Rafa now in the last year of his contract, these are worrying times for the Newcastle support with many believing that if matters are not resolved then Benitez will walk away from the club at the end of the season.
It’s a problem that rears its head at every pre-match press conference and the one held ahead of the game with Chelsea was no exception.
Once again, asked the question, the Chronicle Live, is reporting that the crunch time could be the January transfer window, in which Rafa will be looking to strengthen the squad.
But, our source also carries some interesting quotes made by Rafa at the referenced pre-match press conference, remarks which read:
“As a manager, what do I want to do? To win every single game I can. Can I change my squad from now to January? No, so it won’t change anything in terms of my approach for games and what players and fans are expecting.
“I have to put everything in the training sessions and games to be sure we can compete and win for now.
“Then maybe we can talk about that in April. In April it will maybe have a massive impact if you are not signing a contract because we will be coming towards the end of the season.”
Will Rafa still be with us next season?
The way things stand I wouldn’t expect him to, would you?