Newcastle legend Alan Shearer believes the club will avoid relegation this season and predicts that a takeover will see Rafa Benitez be backed to the hilt in the transfer market.
The Magpies have made a solid start in their return to the Premier League, earning 14 points from their first 11 matches to sit in 11th position.
Benitez has made no secret of his frustration with the club’s hierarchy, who failed to provide the Spaniard with the funds he needed to secure quality signings in the summer.
But Shearer hopes that Amanda Staveley’s touted takeover from Mike Ashley will give Benitez the boost he needs to strengthen his squad and convince him to stay at the club for a long time.
Speaking to Coral, as quoted by the Chronicle, Shearer said: “I’m sure he is wanting and hoping for some activity in regards a takeover because even he has said himself he was frustrated at the beginning of the season because he wasn’t given what he was promised.
“Newcastle have to keep hold of Rafa – he is a huge plus point for Newcastle with his experience and know-how and he understands what team he has at this time. He hasn’t got a great football team to take Newcastle anywhere near the top six and I know people were getting carried away when they were sixth or seventh but it was always going to be a hard long season and he will make the difference.”
Shearer went on to single out Benitez as the difference for Newcastle this season.
“If Newcastle are to stay up this season and I’m sure they will then a lot of that will come from Rafa because of who he is and what he is – because he is a very good manager,” he said.
OPINION
If there is anyone who knows what Newcastle United need, it is Alan Shearer. This is a man who made 366 appearances and scored 179 goals for the club, before returning for an ultimately unsuccessful return as manager. It is very clear that Rafa Benitez is indeed key to Newcastle’s Premier League future, with the highly-experienced Spaniard bringing the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. If Mike Ashley was staying on as owner, then Benitez would most likely walk away soon. The impending takeover from Amanda Staveley and PCP changes things, and when Benitez gets the funds he requires, the sky is the limit for the Magpies. First though, is surviving this season. If Benitez manages that and gets the backing of the new board, then Newcastle could potentially threaten the Premier League’s top six very soon.
