TalkSport pundit Darren Lewis has delivered a short but passionate attack over the ownership problems at Newcastle United and the ongoing saga surrounding Rafael Benitez.
The Spanish boss has been at the centre of much speculation with his contract at St James’ Park coming to an end this summer, with no new deal forthcoming at present.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive (Thursday, April 25th, 8:15pm) Lewis went on to talk about the relationship between the board and the club and their differing wants, saying: “I don’t think Newcastle deserve Benitez at all. They run it like a business, all Lee Charnley and Mike Ashley want is profit.”
The Spaniard has reportedly set his demands on the table when it comes to penning a new deal on Tyneside but the club are yet to agree anything with the former Liverpool boss.
OPINION
The ongoing saga between Mike Ashley and Rafael Benitez is becoming some what farcical. A manager with the reputation and history of Benitez should have been given a new deal with what he wants straight away. Magpies fans will always be expecting the worst the longer this drags out because a club who need a new boss will not think twice before giving him what he wants. Mike Ashley will no doubt eventually offer Benitez a new deal, as he was the one who appointed him in the first. The fact Benitez stayed when Newcastle were relegated and got them back into the top flight was enough to guarantee a new contract whenever he needed one. The point made by Lewis regarding profit speaks for itself, Newcastle broke their transfer record in January when buying Miguel Almiron but also missed out on many other deals due to the reluctance to spend more money. Now it is public knowledge that the club are in profit, the fans and Benitez will demand that some of this is spent on reinforcements which can help them rise the table next season.