Many Newcastle supporters have been reacting on social media after the Chronicle suggested Mike Ashley had offered Rafa Benitez a take it or leave it deal.
The Spaniard’s current contract with United is due to expire on June 30, and while negations between the gaffer, Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley commenced within a week of the Premier League season, the end is nearing without a positive outcome in sight.
Over the weekend, Benitez also returned to Spain for the Champions League Final, and while he refused to discuss his future with the English press, he did share that he is open to new possibilities or a return to Italy in an interview with CalcioMercato.it.
“I like Italian football, this is clear,” the boss said. “But today, I don’t know what will happen.
“I follow Serie A a lot, [and] I continue to be in contact with various players with whom I worked [with] there. I keep a beautiful memory of those years.
“I am now open to new possibilities, [as] I do not know what will happen in the coming months [in regards to my future at Newcastle]”.
When citing those quotes, the Chronicle suggested the talks between Benitez and Newcastle have now concluded, and the responsibility to commit is solely down to the former Real Madrid and Napoli head coach.
It very much comes across as a take it or leave it deal, with Ashley now waiting to hear back from Benitez over whether or not he will sign the proposed contract and agree to whatever terms our owner has included in it.
When that same sentiment was shared on Twitter, here’s how these Newcastle fans reacted…
Club won’t be sold its just another Ashley GAME and you can’t blame raffa if he goes
— Graeme Pilkington (@graemepilkingto) June 3, 2019
If Ashley doesn’t sell up AND loses Rafa, there better not be a single fan in the ground or anybody in any of his Newcastle shops next season, even if they currently work there.#getoutofmyclub #nufc
— Geordie Exile (@getoutofmyclub) June 3, 2019
And there Leeds are close to be taken over by PSG’s owner !!!!! Sums our club up it’s an absolute disgrace and laughing stock Bigtime!!!! Embarrassing
— darren ???????????? (@dazzlaa81) June 3, 2019
Classic Ashley. Too simple minded. You can have 50m but can’t sign anyone over the age of 13 cos I want to be able to make a bit of money on them when they show some promise ????
— Mohsin Khan (@mkhan185) June 3, 2019
Basically confirming Ashley has no ambition for the club
— Nathan Fox (@Foxy_005) June 3, 2019
Sounds like there’s no dependency on the apparent takeover either.
— chetan chohan (@ChetanChohan7) June 3, 2019
More visits to Ashley’s local, relentless pressure if Rafa goes
— Sunny Singh (@sunnysinghb82) June 3, 2019
No one would blame him for walking at the end of his contract, he’s been treated appallingly.
— Neil Putley (@PuttyNChips) June 3, 2019
Why would Ashley even offer a contract if the club were close to being sold? Surely he’d leave it to the new owners
— Real Jedi (@anothergamer77) June 3, 2019