Sky Sports journalist has insisted that there is “nothing significant” to be read into Rafa Benitez being spotted at Newcastle United’s training ground this afternoon.
The Spaniard has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at St. James’ Park, with his current one set to expire on June 30th, leading many fans to wonder whether today’s appearance was an indication on his future.
But Downie insists it is not.
Writing on his personal Twitter, he said: “Lots asking: Our pictures show Rafa Benitez back at NUFC training ground today.
“There is, however, no developments positive or negative on his future.
“There’s nothing significant about him being there today”.
Lots asking: Our pictures show Rafa Benitez back at NUFC training ground today. There is, however, no developments positive or negative on his future. There’s nothing significant about him being there today #NUFC
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) June 10, 2019
OPINION
It’s hard to tell whether this is good news or not for Newcastle. This does mean, of course, that Benitez will not be signing his new deal today, but the flip side of that is that he isn’t going to be walking away from the club either. The limbo goes on for the Toon Army, but the fact that so many supporters have jumped on this relatively minor thing shows just how starved if information fans are. There is no communication between the top of the club and the supporters, and that means that there is this constant need to go sleuthing for clues on what is going on. All of this could be solved simply by increasing the transparency between the board and those who follow the club, but bearing in mind that Mike Ashley has been in charge for a decade and a half, it’s hard to imagine him changing anything any time soon.