Many Newcastle fans have been reacting on social media after the Chronicle laid out United’s alleged stance in Rafa Benitez’s long-running contract saga.
The boss’ current deal is due to expire at the end of the month, at which point we would be manager-less. But there is a proposed deal on the table, with owner Mike Ashley and Managing Director Lee Charnley formerly laying out which demands they are willing to meet.
It is not thought to have so far appealed to the gaffer, though, as the proposal does not meet the assurances he is chasing in terms of his transfer budget and policies, which are making – and have made – moves for some of his preferred targets complicated.
Add the potential takeover to the mix, and matters are further complicated, with the boss unknowing as to the direction the club are wishing to take and who he would be reporting to should he remain on Tyneside beyond June.
Even still, Charnley and Benitez are not understood to have met in person while both at the club’s training facility last week, as the board are holding back to give the 59-year-old as much time as he needs to make a decision.
There is also no strict deadline in place for Benitez to sign on the dotted line or announce his departure, and discussions could even stretch into July, as the United hierarchy currently have no potential replacement in line, having rejected all approaches thus far to take over in the St James’ Park hot seat.
A profile of who they would like to succeed the gaffer has been drawn up, however, but they are not currently planning on developing the file.
When the Chronicle shared their article online, this is how these Newcastle fans reacted…
Tbf Ashley can’t give him assurances like that if he’s selling..
— ????????Dayle???????? (@DayleBarron) June 16, 2019
Well isn’t this quite obvious? There is potentially new owners, they aren’t gonna give him assurances when they don’t own us and MA isn’t as he is ‘selling up’. So why is this a news story?
— Delightful Idiot (@Delightfulidiot) June 16, 2019
A story out of nothing! How can you give someone assurances on budget if you’re no longer the owner/ chairman. Ashley could promise him pink unicorns on August the first. It means nothing if he sells in July.
— Lee Farrer (@WRCLee) June 16, 2019
Rafa is not leaving
The prospective owners have said they want to retain Rafa Benitez
The club is the final stages of being sold
Do you lot not read Justin Allens column in the Sun
If not you should
You’s might learn something— Keith Allen (@KeithAllen517) June 16, 2019
You sound like a constipated parrot
— Pilchard Chops (@Chops1952LJ) June 16, 2019
The Chronic know nothing.
— neilB (@neilTheMagpie) June 16, 2019
If this takeover doesn’t get announced On the 1st July then Rafa is walking away. The fans walk away. And we will be looking at another relegation. No manager. No striker. No number 10. Left behind in the transfer market.
— Sam Garcia (@SanDiegoSam1975) June 16, 2019
Well he is selling so why would he give a transfer budget? Non starter
— Sean Murray (@Sean75778147) June 16, 2019
Thers obvs somthing happening in regards to takeover as rafa would hav walked or signed a new deal by now if not! Lets wait and see
— michael harmer (@H4RM3R) June 16, 2019