Joey Barton believes that current Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will have left the club by Christmas.
The Spaniard has grown frustrated with his side’s lack of activity in the transfer activity and there are concerns that the Magpies could be dragged into a difficult relegation battle.
The North East club have bought Florian Lejeune, Jacob Murphy and Javi Manquillo this summer, but fans are still awaiting for a high-profile arrival.
Owner Mike Ashley has publicly admitted that Newcastle can’t compete financially with several of their rivals and are not willing to change their policy.
Former Newcastle midfielder Barton feels that owner Ashley causes problems and can’t see Benitez remaining at St James’ Park for the entire season.
“Newcastle is a great club, but the owner causes a lot of problems. It’s his way or the highway. I can’t see Benitez lasting until Christmas,” Barton told talkSPORT.
Newcastle returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking last season as they clinched the Championship title on the final day of the season.
They were thrown a tricky opening day match against last season’s runners-up Tottenham and lost the match 2-0 at home.
Benitez will now take his side to fellow promoted side Huddersfield on Sunday as they look to get their first points of the season on the board.
OPINION
It is no surprise that Benitez is close to boiling point as he clearly feels an injection of cash would boost their survival hopes. Newcastle have most things in place at the club to establish themselves back in the top flight, but the first season back in the Premier League is always the most difficult. The Magpies are still short of a few players in their squad and have the make-up of a team that will be fighting for relegation. Newcastle owner Ashley has suggested that he would gladly let new owners takeover the club if they were willing to increase their financial firepower and that may be the best case scenario moving forward. What is clear is that Benitez is a world-class manager and the club must do everything they possibly can to keep him happy, but the two are clearly at a standstill over money.