Rafael Benitez is waiting in the hope that alterations to the assurances offered to him by the Newcastle United hierarchy will be made, according to Newcastle Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh.
The Magpies boss concluded talks with owners Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley earlier this month over an extension to his contract at St James’ Park, which expires at the end of the month.
Writing in a question and answer session on the Chronicle’s website [Wednesday, 12:37pm], Waugh claimed that Benitez does not feel fully convinced by the owners’ proposals and is hoping additional assurances are offered before the June 30 deadline.
“For now, Benitez clearly just does not feel reassured enough by the assurances offered by Ashley and Charnley, nor by the uncertainty over the ownership, to commit his future to the club,” the journalist wrote.
“Instead, he is delaying a final decision until as late as possible in the hope some form of clarity will arrive.”
OPINION
Well, is this ever going to get any easier for Newcastle fans? They have surely waited long enough by now, but it seems from this report – if it is true – that Benitez and the owners have come to a standstill, an impasse. The talks have been concluded, Ashley and Charnley have said what they had to say, Benitez has said what he had to say and there seems to be no agreement. It looks as if two things could happen here: either both sides will remain vigilant with regards to what they want and that will be that. Benitez will leave, or, the nervous wait goes on until finally one side breaks and gives in to the other. It probably centres mainly around one thing: the Newcastle transfer budget. If Benitez caves in, he will likely compromise and accept a lower budget, whereas if the board caves in, then they would give the manager more freedom.