A number of Newcastle United fans have been left predicting the very worst for their club after manager Rafael Benitez’s comments following their friendly defeat away at Braga.
The Magpies slumped to a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of their Portuguese opposition, with just one final pre-season clash to come before the Premier League campaign gets underway.
Speaking after the game, as quoted by the Chronicle, Benitez was brutally honest about the state of affairs at the club, admitting that fans had reason for concern heading into the new season, stating: “Things are not going well off the pitch and you can see a reflection of that on the pitch.
“They have to be concerned. We are concerned. We will try to change things in the next 10 days. We will try our very best. I have no idea (if we will succeed). We can talk and be close but after we’re not so close.”
The manager’s comments have left many of the Toon Army fearing that Benitez will be leaving St James’ Park before the end of his current contract, which ends next summer, and took to Twitter to voice their worries.
This is Futbol have rounded up a selection of the fans’ tweets:
Rafa be gone by nxt friday if we dont sign players #ashleyout #IfRafaGoesWeGo
— Mark Turnbull (@m_turnbull78) August 2, 2018
He’s gonna be away soon! If they don’t back him I can’t see him being here for the spurs game! Does MA want rid of him or something? He’s going the right way about it! But it’s ok House of Fraser will be fine!
— ??? ??????? ????????? (@GavMcElroy) August 1, 2018
He’s clearly had it. And who can blame him.
— Jack (@JackStanley86) August 2, 2018
I love Rafa. He’s improved ordinary players and is an amazing manager but I won’t blame him if he left. And if he does, I won’t go back.
— MarthaT Dawg (@mtrott70) August 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/Adrian____29/status/1024789467343798274
And to be honest, who can blame him. I think we all know the truth here and will thank Rafa for the service he has given.
— Ada ? (@ConwayAdrian) August 2, 2018
I’m off to bed. I fully expect Rafa to have walked when I wake up.
— Aidan McAtominey (@AidanMcAtominey) August 1, 2018
Opinion
Benitez has always played things down when the going has gotten tough, so for him to be so utterly blunt about the state of affairs should have alarm bells ringing at St James’ Park. It sounds as though he has given up trying to hide behind the facade of everything running smoothly and instead is trying to force Mike Ashley’s hand by stirring up trouble among the fan base. It has obviously worked, with the Toon Army genuinely worried he is simply going to up and leave before the start of the season, and what a catastrophe that would be for the Magpies. Still, the supporters might be forgetting just how loyal Benitez is, and with a year left, it seems unlikely he will just walk out – so their predictions of his exit seem a little premature. Still, losing 4-0 to anyone in pre-season is not a good sign and serious improvements are needed if they are to have any chance of having what can be deemed a successful season.