Newcastle United fans reacted well on social media to former player Salomon Rondon’s comments, despite feeling distraught at the news Rafa Benitez will be leaving.
The club confirmed Benitez will leave his role as manager once his contract expires at the end of the week. Rondon was brought to St James’ Park last season on a one-year loan deal that saw Dwight Gayle go the other way.
The Venezuelan was Newcastle’s second-highest goal scorer, with the forward netting 11 league goals as well as providing seven assists during the last campaign. Benitez struggled to persuade the club to sign the striker after he tried signing him the season before.
The 29-year-old is currently in Brazil playing in the Copa America for Venezuela and will return to West Brom. Reports in the Birmingham Mail suggested he was a target for Newcastle, with the club interested in making a permanent move for the forward.
Those plans will now be up in the air as Newcastle now begin the search for a new manager. Rondon wanted to make it clear how much he enjoyed playing under Benitez and took to Twitter to thank his former boss and wish him luck for his next challenge.
I must say that @rafabenitezweb deserves huge credit for what our team achieved last season, and I’m sure he’ll have success in his next job. All the best, gaffer! pic.twitter.com/nFwgXbUtB9
— Salomón Rondón (@salorondon23) June 24, 2019
Thanks for everything salomon, I wish it was more than a season
— Andrew Burdis (@burdis80) June 24, 2019
Thank you for everything you did last season Rondon one of the reasons we’re still a premier league club I hope you find success at the next club you go to we will never forget you Venezuelan King⚫️⚪️
— Jack (@Jack_Rogers97) June 24, 2019
Thanks for your efforts to Salomon ????????⚫️⚪️
— NUFC Dave (@toondave2015) June 24, 2019
Good luck with your next club Salomon! You did #NUFC proud!
— Jonathan Grieve (@jonniegrieve) June 24, 2019
Sorry Salomon, I highly doubt you want the move back now and I don’t blame you. Thank you for last season
— Jack Bryan (@JackBryan08) June 24, 2019
Best of luck in your next venture. I am sure it won’t be at us next season, but thanks for giving us the bullet header against Bournemouth!! It was like a SHEARERR!! ???????????????? Solomon ????????
— Craig Hoye (@Backchoye87) June 24, 2019
We desperately want you to stay but we don’t blame you one bit if you don’t want to come back
— Tom88 (@TomNUFC17) June 24, 2019
Thanks for leading the line last season Salamon. You’ll always be a hero to us. Good luck for the future.
— James Smith (@Jimbothemag) June 24, 2019