Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has tipped Newcastle United to seal a short term contract deal with manager Rafael Benitez as he casts doubts over the Spaniard’s future at St James’ Park.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss is heading into the final six months of his contract on Tyneside and with the future of the entire club up in the air, owner Mike Ashley stating that a takeover deal is closer than ever before, there seems to be plenty of uncertainty.
Downie, Sky Sports’ north east correspondent, has said that Peter Kenyon, one of the reported parties interested in securing a takeover, could have his own man lined up to take charge in the dugout, but that with talks appearing closer a short term deal to tie Benitez down could be on the cards.
He told Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk via their official Twitter account: “There’s nothing to say that Peter Kenyon, if he does complete his takeover, would want Rafa Benitez to stay as manager. A lot of supporters and anyone watching Newcastle and seeing how well revered Benitez is on Tyneside just expect him to remain as manager, we don’t know – Kenyon might have his own man lined up.
“The longer time goes on, the more I am of the belief that Benitez may sign a short term deal. If you’d asked me this question at the start of the season I would have said no chance.
“Because talks are underway, there is a chance of this happening, I would not be surprised if Benitez signs a one-year deal to try and see it through while these takeover talks are on the go. I would be surprised if he signed a long-term deal.”
??TRANSFER TALK??@SkySports_Keith explains to @PeteGravesSky and @tomwhitemedia why Rafa Benitez could be convinced to sign a new short-term deal with Newcastle.
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— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2018
Opinion
While Newcastle fans would love to see Benitez put pen to paper on a long term deal at St James’ Park, a short term agreement is better than nothing. It would keep him in charge of the Magpies past the summer and keep the stability which he has built on Tyneside during his two and a half years in charge. What the Toon Army would love to see is a new owner come in and back the Spanish boss with some much needed transfer funds in a bid to push the club up the table. Instead it looks as though he is going to have to remain patient and see whether Ashley does agree to sell up before the summer comes about, with any chances of a deal being done before the January window slim to non-existent. A short term deal is not a fix for Newcastle but more of sticking a plaster over the problem. The supporters will be hoping that changes sooner rather than later.