Our captain has made it clear to the board that they should do everything they can to keep Rafa at the club.
Jamaal Lascelles was asked by the Daily Telegraph about the manager, and he hopes that the Spaniard remains on Tyneside for the foreseeable future:
‘I think for a while now that the best thing that this club has done is brought the manager in. Since he has been here things have been on the up. He has brought the club together and the city together. I think it`s important that the club keeps him happy and holds on to him for as long as possible.’
The Twitter reaction to the quotes has led to many echoing Jamaal`s comments:
A young man telling a seasoned billionaire how to run his club. Hope this time he listens.
? bobby martins (@BobbyGoa) 29 March 2018
Keep?. Done everything but..
? Michael Clark (@Michael80819491) 29 March 2018
The Telegraph also reported that ‘transfer budget in the summer will be larger than the one on offer this season’ but fans were sceptical the manager will be given the funds he needs:
Bigger than £0. I hope so.
? Scott Daley (@ScottDaley26) 29 March 2018
? Danny Boy (@dannysomers1988) 29 March 2018
£10 then?
? Toon In Toon Out (@toonintoonout) 29 March 2018
Same old story
? onetruesaxon11 (@onetruesaxon11) 29 March 2018
I`d be sorely disappointed if it weren`t bigger!
? sam johnson (@SamArmy94) 29 March 2018
Verdict:
Our no.6 hits the nail on the head. Rafa is a unifying factor for the fans and the club in general. He has effectively dragged this team back to the Premier League, and kept us in a good position to stay there.
To push on further though, he needs more investment, and hopefully when safety in the top flight is secured, there will be a few bidders interested to take the club off Ashley`s hands, and give the man in charge a transfer kitty so we can compete for positions in the top half of the table.