Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier has made the worrying prediction that Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez will leave the club over the “stalemate” with owner Mike Ashley.
There has been much speculation over the Spaniard’s future with claims that he would only commit to new terms if he was handed money by the British businessman for new signings, but that the cash would not be coming his way unless he penned a new deal.
Asked about the situation between Ashley and Benitez, he told Sky Sports’ Soccer Special (19:34): “That is what is known in chess terms as a stalemate, it’s not going to go anywhere.
“I think if he keeps Newcastle up this season you’ll see him leave at the end of the season. I can’t see him staying beyond that, I can’t see either side giving in.
“Mike Ashley shows no sign of backing his manager and would it surprise me if he went before the end of the season? It would a little bit because of the rapport he’s got with the fans there and he doesn’t strike me as that sort of bloke who would want to walk out on a club.”