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Opinion

This lost Rafa Benitez factor could be the most damaging in my opinion

5 years ago
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Let me start by saying I am not the biggest fan of Rafa Benitez, nor the football he played at Newcastle United.

However, I am sad that we have lost such a talented manager, just listen to players he has coached before.

Yes he is a cold manager but everyone says he has improved them as players,

Jamie Carragher once said he was just a local lad playing for his local team but then Rafa pushed him and he learnt the most from him, which made him into a very good centre-half, but he also goes on to say how he wasn’t Rafa’s biggest fan either,

What Rafa Benitez does/did give you, is a manager who could attract players, as they want to play for him.

Lets not get caught up in believing that footballers play for the love of the game. Most see it as a job whether we like it or not, just look at Manchester United and players like Lingard, Rashford and Pogba and the mess they are in. Players want money and/or or to improve and go to a club that will provide that.

Rafa Benitez at Newcastle was a prime example of this, come to this club and become a better player, then get the move you want, A Mike Ashley dream, buy cheap and sell for more, Ayoze an example of this.

Rafa has gone to China, yes he loved the fans and the city but no one could say if they were offered an easier job for more money, they would not take it. So do I begrudge him for doing so… no I do not, anyone would – hence why we all move jobs is it not? Why would football be any different?

What Newcastle have lost, is the appeal to come to us, and that could be the most damaging in my opinion. No one looks at a Mark Hughes (or even worse) and thinks ‘they can improve me’, plus Newcastle do not pay the wages either.

Hence why Benitez wanted improvements to the training ground, to help sell this idea to players that you might not get the money now…but give me and Newcastle two years and you will get the money and you will be a better player.

Mike Ashley could not see this and how could he? He and the people he surrounds himself with are not football people, I have always felt this is his biggest downfall, he trusts nobody but financial people, so that’s how he see it.

My question to Mike Ashley is this, why should I support/watch and spend money on NUFC?

What am I getting for my money?

There is no investment in the playing staff, or infrastructure, no long-term plans, so why spend my money?

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