Simon Jordan claimed that Rafa Benitez will be out the door at Newcastle United if an opportunity arises to advance his career.
The former Crystal Palace chairman delivered his verdict on the Spanish manager while dubbing the Magpies’ start to the season as poor and then proceed to remark on owner Mike Ashley’s intentions towards the club.
Jordan dismissed the idea that Ashley was using the Magpies to fuel his ambitions regarding Sports Direct and shared that he thinks he just wants his value for money from a potential sale.
“If Rafa Benitez sees an opportunity to advance himself and thinks it’s better than Newcastle then he will be out the door and leave behind these adoring Newcastle fans that he is one of right now,” said Jordan on talkSPORT on 18:19 (Sunday October 14).
“Is he frightened of getting the sack? I don’t think Rafa Benitez is a little bit frighten in the slightest of getting the sack as he has laid the foundations for every conceivable reason why he might either fall out with Mike Ashley or walk away himself.
“And the fact Newcastle are set up a certain way this season is the big question as even Newcastle fans are starting to ask this question, why are we prepared to have 19% possession and why are we setting up in a certain way which allows the opposition to oppose themselves upon us from the get go.
“I don’t know whether Benitez is making a point, I think Mourinho is making a point at Manchester United over the centre-halves, I don’t know if Benitez is making a point because they are poor as despite their start against Manchester United which was incredible, that was more about Man United being absolutely rank for the first 60 minutes as it was about Newcastle being good.
“I think these are interesting times as Mike (Ashley) will not want them to be relegated, I know a lot of people make out that he wants to own Newcastle because it’s big for Sports Direct but Sports Direct made a ton of money before Newcastle were even on the horizon so I don’t believe that’s the key, I think he wants to get his money out of the football club for the right price and knows what the value of football clubs are going to be.”
OPINION
It seems Jordan isn’t the biggest fan of Benitez and is quick to point out that he believes the Spanish manager will be packing his bags if a club swoops him off their feet. However while that opinion is at the very least debatable, his remarks about Benitez not fearing the sack are probably spot-on. If the Magpies boss was to be sacked tomorrow then everyone will be supportive of Benitez and no doubt vent their anger at Ashley as well as the Magpies in general over the decision. The Spanish manager may not have guided his side to a win this season but it’s clear the majority of fans still back him. The performance against Leicester City, Chelsea and Manchester City may not have inspired fans to get out of their seats but they remain confident their club has the right manager to turn it around. Hopefully fans are right to belief in Benitez as it seems it will be a tough task to rack up wins with the current Magpies’ squad, as there is a few notable weak points, and a club like the Magpies do deserve to be in the Premier League.