Loads of Newcastle supporters have been reacting on social media, after The Sun reported that five Toon stars are considering their United futures after the club announced Rafa Benitez’s exit.
The Magpies hierarchy are currently drawing up their shortlist of managers who they could approach in the coming days, after David Moyes, Claudio Ranieri, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Laurent Blanc all threw their hats into the ring in a bid to be our next head coach.
Managing Director Lee Charnley is hopeful that the new boss can be installed before pre-season training commences next week, while The Sun understand Pep Guardiola’s number two at Manchester City Mikel Arteta is under consideration and Sean Dyche has his admirers but would be expensive to prise away from Burnley.
The daily newspaper also adds that the Spaniard or Clarets boss could inherit a depleted squad, as a number of first-team stars are questioning whether they want to stay at St James’ Park any longer.
This includes last season’s leading goalscorer Ayoze Perez, who has been heavily linked with multiple potential destinations already this summer.
While reports in Italy suggested he would be open to a move to the Serie A but was close to joining Tottenham Hotspur, and reports in England backed him to join Arsenal, Spanish publications have recently quoted the 25-year-old speaking favourably about joining Valencia.
Arsenal product Isaac Hayden has also spoke about his desires to leave Tyneside this summer for personal reasons, but Benitez made it clear he would only be allowed to leave if we received a suitable offer and could adequately replace him.
Defender Federico Fernandez is also now open to offers after criticising the club’s handling of Benitez’s exit, while Fabian Schar is thought to be a sought-after target that is willing to listen to an approach just a year after joining us.
First-choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is another player who could be heading for the St James’ exit door in the coming weeks, with the 30-year-old no longer assured in himself that his future lies on Tyneside.
Here’s what these Newcastle fans have had to say on the reports of Perez, Hayden, Fernandez, Schar and Dubravka questioning their Magpies futures…
What a surprise
— Mark (@mja1980) June 26, 2019
5 players…id be surprised if we could field a starting xi. Wiithout the club being sold we are going down like we have mile ashley tied to our feet in the middle of the sea. Why would players want to work under ashley he’s proven he has no footballing ambition letting Rafa go
— Simon (@LittleHenryD) June 26, 2019
According to some of our fans last season I thought they were championship players at best so why the concern?
— Paul Swinburn (@PSwinburn) June 26, 2019
I actually question the rest for not considering their futures.
— Jamie Common (@JamieCommon) June 26, 2019
Think the fans have considered their future too.
— Wayne Gedge (@waynegedge) June 26, 2019
Hope every single player puts transfer request in
— كريج بروكس (@brooksy_09) June 26, 2019
Everyone leaving except the one we really want to leave. Ironic! I could cry.
— claire drummond (@toonlifehurts) June 26, 2019
I want them all to go. Bring on the chaos it’s the only way now
— Jordan Weatherhogg (@jordanw1988) June 26, 2019
It was obvious that was going to happen
— Allan Mawson (@AllanMawson) June 26, 2019
They should all threaten to leave, why be part of a club with no respect or ambitions…
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeS36013244) June 26, 2019
Good I hope the lot of them leave who would want to stay when the thick stupid fat pathetic owner gets rid of one of the best managers in the world
— IloveDrMartenboots (@DrMartenboots) June 26, 2019
Which player would stay or sign for a club, that has no ambition to achieve anything ?
Rafa was more than just our manager, he got the City ,the Fans ,the Area ,the Passion .i believe he gave us hope that we could have achieved something.— PC (@navychef) June 26, 2019
Do you blame them it’s not a club anymore. As a player you want to win things in your career not just survive a relegation every season
— Kevin O’shaughnessy (@kev_nessy) June 26, 2019