Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has called on Rafa Benitez to walk away from Newcastle United amid his differences with owner Mike Ashley, and many fans have taken to Twitter to react.
In a column for the Daily Telegraph, Carragher claimed that there is no prospect of a regime change at St. James’ Park with Ashley not really wanting to sell, despite his claims.
He worryingly goes on to say that a Benitez exit is inevitable at the end of the season, and a large section of Newcastle supporters on Twitter have reacted in agreement.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
Sadly, bang on, he’s the one pundit who has actually done some research before making a judgement
— Richard (@wilky2k12) September 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/JagerSmasher469/status/1043154531255771136
@milesstarforth thus is what we need. Outsiders identifying th problem and making it public. Us Geordies can shout it from the roof tops but we never get the air time.
— Jon Sadler (@JonSadler8) September 21, 2018
He is right and at the end of the season Rafa will walk away when his contract will have expired
— Graeme Cross (@GraemeCross1) September 21, 2018
I’ve said it a hundred times. Mike Ashley has the ability to be a fantastic owner but time and time again he chooses not to be. The penny will never drop with Ashley. All about feathering his own nest.
— Brian (@normski1930z) September 21, 2018
Same old story at st james no backing, no money , start to think we are going places then boom sells our best pkayers or they end up wanting to leave.
— Gwan????? (@Fletchiniho1) September 21, 2018
Bang on Jamie as usual.
— acpatto (@AnthPatterson) September 21, 2018
Not telling any lies is he,as much as it pains me to say it as a toon fan let’s just enjoy Rafas last season with us
— scott biffa carlin (@carlinbiffa) September 21, 2018
Heartbreaking but spot on. Such a waste. Fans adore him and he is a manager that needs that.
— JW (@thejwalks) September 21, 2018
As a Newcastle fan, I couldn't agree more. He's being treated like dirt by a disgraceful owner. Mike Ashley only wants another yes man like Pardew or Mclaren. Guess we'll be going the same way as Sunderland soon unfortunately.
— Laurent Alhadeff (@LaurentAlhadeff) September 21, 2018
OPINION
This is a pretty surprising reaction in many way from these Newcastle fans, and these tweets are just the tip of the iceberg. There are hundreds of replies on Twitter from the Toon Army who are in agreement with Carragher on this, with some even saying they hope Benitez does leave to spite Ashley. Should the Spaniard leave, as Carragher predicts, then it is hard to see how Newcastle will cope with Premier League football. The lack of finances coming from Ashley are bound to limit the powers of any manager, and there are few that could do as good a job as Benitez. You would think that the Magpies are in line for relegation should Benitez leave, and will be until Ashley does the same. There are those in the press that back Ashley and claim he has done good, but it is becoming harder and harder to back that argument with any credibility as the Sports Direct tycoon continues to drag the club down.