Newcastle United face a crunch 48 hours over the future of manager Rafael Benitez as both parties sit down to discuss extending his stay at the club, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.
The broadcast journalist claims on his personal Twitter account that the Spaniard has met with senior figures at Newcastle today (Thursday 16 May) to thrash out a decision on his future, with the crunch talks set to stretch into tomorrow (Friday).
Rafa Benítez sitting down with Newcastle today to thrash out his future. Talks likely to carry over into tomorrow. There’s willingness on both sides to reach an agreement #NUFC
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) May 16, 2019
Benitez’s current contract comes to an end this summer, having helped guide the Magpies to a 13th placed finish and if he were to leave, his final game would be the resounding 4-0 win over Fulham.
Opinion
Benitez is absolutely pivotal to Newcastle’s future and failure to get him signed up to a new deal would be a massive blow for the club looking forward. He not only has the managerial nous and ability to drive the Magpies to success, he has a contact book which rivals that of anyone else in world football. He is revered by almost everyone he comes into contact with and you just need to see the way he is respected by his former players to see the impact he can have. Newcastle are lucky to have him on board right now and replacing him will be an impossible task. Not only will the new manager be lacking the quality Benitez brings to the job, he will be filling the spot of a man adored by the Toon Army. It is like someone trying to take Sir Bobby Robson or Alan Shearer’s place in their hearts – it is never going to happen. It is in the best interests of the club to get Benitez signed up – only time will tell if they do.