Rafa Benitez arrives at St James Park – Photo Special
Against all the odds, it looks as though Rafa Benitez is on his way to becoming the next Newcastle manager.
Friday afternoon has seen the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss arrive at St James Park (see below).
Steve McClaren was officially sacked this (Friday) morning, with media claims that Rafa Benitez insisting that this was done before he formally met anybody from Newcastle United.
Talks have been repeatedly reported throughout this week, with claims that the Spaniard was taking to intermediaries working on behalf of Newcastle United.
Those claims had included a three year deal on offer but no doubt we are all anticipating further announcements today.
The consensus appears to be that Rafa Benitez will only have shown interest in the Newcastle job if he has had assurances that he will be allowed to get on with the task without interference and be able to control transfers in and out himself.
If Benitez is confirmed in the post, the big question whether it is indeed a long-term appointment, or an initial short-term one with the possibility of longer.
Strange times, with the possibility of Newcastle maybe sometime soon been run like a normal football club. However, one step at a time.
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