Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that his contract talks are focused on his demands for the club than on a personal level as he plots major developments both on and off the pitch.
The Magpies boss has previously confirmed that he is currently embroiled in negotiations with the club over extending his stay on Tyneside, with his contract, which was penned back in 2016, set to expire in just over 12 months.
Now, the former Liverpool man has confirmed in a behind-the-scenes reveal that the relationship with the top brass, specifically owner Mike Ashley, is more positive than perceived, and that his plans include developing the training facilities and the academy as well as new players over the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Guillem Balague for talkSPORT, as revealed in a video on their official Twitter account, he said: “My relationship with the owners, normally, is not as bad as people think.
“I’m not fighting for what’s best for Rafa Benitez. Normally I never have a problem with my contract, because it’s more or less I want to improve the facilities, I want to improve the academy.
“Or I want to bring better players and be more competitive like that. The fans appreciate that.”
"I'm fighting for the best for my club!"
Rafa Benitez tells @GuillemBalague what's really going on at #NUFC pic.twitter.com/Gr9APh02Tj
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 22, 2018
Opinion
Benitez has been pretty coy about what he wants when it comes to his contract during negotiations but it seems as though he really just wants to help the club improve from top to bottom. While the likes of the transfer budget will be a sensitive issue, Ashley will surely see the value he will add to the club by investing to improve the off-field issues, such as the training ground and the academy set up. Newcastle might be impressing on the pitch but behind the scenes they are some way behind their rivals and now that they are pushing to establish themselves among the Premier League’s top ten, it is time for them to catch up. If Ashley is unwilling to commit, then he is putting the club’s future on the chopping block, for Benitez will not put pen to paper over a new deal without the promises being made. It looks like it will be a tense summer on Tyneside.