OPINION
It really, really isn’t that difficult.
All Mike Ashley needs to do is give Rafa Benitez some kind of reassurance that he is going to back him in the transfer market, hand him a pen, show him the dotted line, and reap the rewards.
Instead, he has seemingly showed no willing to get a new deal agreed, and now, with just three games left until the end of the season, nobody on Tyneside is any closer to knowing what the future holds for the Toon Army.
And as if the notion that Ashley is sleepwalking towards chaos wasn’t strong enough, the latest report from Gazetta dello Sport will have fans terrified.
According to the Italian newspaper, AC Milan boss and renowned hothead Gennaro Gattuso has entered the frame as a potential replacement should Rafa move on at the end of his contract.
Now, ordinarily, this might not be a bad thing. Gattuso is in charge of one of the most historic clubs in Europe, has managed to turn them back into European qualification contenders, and has the kind of irrepressible, eccentric personality that usually goes over so well with the Geordies.
But, at this specific moment in time, Newcastle need stability. They need a manager with a proven record for improving players, and who can function, if absolutely necessary, on a shoestring budget.
Gattuso is a lot of things, a fine manager being one of them, but the last thing he is is stable.
If this were to happen, it would be carnage at St. James’ Park.