Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has been offered the final say in terms of the club’s transfer plans after long term talks over his future at St James’ Park, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper names the terms, which would see Benitez in sole control of who signs at Newcastle, as the standout terms of the contract offer currently on the table for the manager, his current deal coming to an end this summer.
It is stated Newcastle have been talking with Benitez for 18 months over extending his stay on Tyneside, but that the opportunity to have the final say may come with caveats over who the board green light the funds for.
Opinion
Benitez knows that his football knowledge and connections are far greater than what the club possess in the boardroom and so it makes perfect sense that he has control over who the club sign. However, it is Mike Ashley who is in control of the funds available and he is not going to go splashing the cash, even if it is what Benitez wants. There is going to have to be some compromising done by both parties to keep each other happy and it remains to be seen whether either Benitez or Ashley – who are both quite clearly strong personalities – are willing to back down. This is a situation which is no doubt driving the Toon Army crazy and they just want to see Benitez putting pen to paper sooner rather than later. He might feel a little more confident in getting what he wants with these latest promises made by the club, but it still seems he wants more before committing his long term future at St James’ Park.