Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez and owner Mike Ashley held a brief conversation following their 1-0 loss to Brighton on Saturday, according to Times journalist George Caulkin.
Caulkin, northern correspondent for The Times, reported in a column following the St. James’ Park defeat that the two men engaged in a short conversation after the game, describing it as ‘rare enough to merit acknowledgement.’
It is said that a revival of face-to-face contact will hopefully make things easier for Benitez in the upcoming January window, with the Spaniard likely to be operating under a limited budget again.
OPINION
It is hard to know whether this development is a positive or a negative for the club without knowing what was said between the two. However, as Caulkin points out, the fact that a conversation took place is enough to write home about anyway. The lack of contact between manager and owner at Newcastle over the last few years has been alarming, and this is hopefully the start of increased discourse between the two men. That is especially needed ahead of a January window which will be so crucial in determining whether the Magpies manage to survive this season or not. Their loss to Brighton really piled the pressure on Benitez, who is beginning to cop some criticism for his negative tactics this season. Obviously the majority of the scorn from within the fanbase is being directed towards Ashley, but Benitez is by no means immune anymore after such a poor start. The club have just two points from nine games, and face a long road back if they want to climb out of relegation danger.