OPINION
Newcastle United supporters will be desperate to keep a hold of manager Rafael Benitez for as long as possible.
The Spaniard has arguably been the difference between life the club spending their time in the Premier League and the Championship in recent years, and they would be hard pushed to find a boss with as much quality and pedigree as he possesses.
That’s why the sacking of Leicester City’s Claude Puel will have come as such a concern to many fans.
The Foxes are understood to be considering Benitez as a potential replacement, as reported by the Guardian, and with the manager’s contract set to run out in June and no concrete progress made with regards to an extension, it will continue to be a worry until Benitez puts pen to paper on a new deal.
Those concerns might be eased somewhat if the Spaniard took it upon himself to dispel the rumours, but instead he has taken a rather evasive tone in his responses.
When asked about the possible switch in a press conference on Monday, as quoted by the Chronicle (13.41), he said: “I think you know my answer. I’m really focused on next game.
“I know we have to stay up & stay focused on that. I know the issue of my contract & this position means you have to ask but my focus is on Burnley. Fans will be happy if we win.”
It’s fair enough that Benitez doesn’t want to give anything away, but it also suggests that his head could be turned by a prospective offer should he feel that things are meeting his satisfaction on Tyneside.
He may see it as diplomacy, but Newcastle fans will simply see it as a massively nervy spell ahead and their worries have surely hit a new level entirely.