Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez’ future has still not been resolved with the ongoing talks potentially starting to affect the dressing room, according to journalist Lee Ryder.
According to the Chronicle reporter, Benitez’s future could be starting to take its toll on the rest of the Newcastle squad, with the board set to come under pressure from the dressing room.
The Spaniard’s contract is set to run out at the end of June and despite end-of-season meetings with Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley, no new deal has been signed as of yet.
Ryder said in a question and answer for the Chronicle: “There are players who haven’t had games and who have been loaned out, and they’ll be waiting to see as well whether there’s going to be another manager. Realistically, players will come back and by that time they’ll be demanding to know what is going on.”
All those involved in the takeover deal could be putting any transfers to the back of their minds until a potential deal is completed. This could leave many of Newcastle’s players at risk with the future of Benitez also thrown into the air.
With time ticking, Benitez will want answers on who will be in charge of the club and what sort of budget he will be given – with Ashley reportedly offering a £61million transfer spend should he choose to stay on at the club.
OPINION
The time for answers has certainly arrived at Newcastle United with uncertainty surrounding most pieces of business currently underway at the club. With the takeover saga taking over in the news and at the club, the ongoing contract talks to secure Rafael Benitez seem to have gone quiet, which will definitely fill the Magpies’ fans with great doubt. Benitez has worked wonders since arriving at the club and should Newcastle not secure him to a longer stay, they could face severe consequences from everyone involved. The players would be right to feel concerned after reports that the new owners are potentially interested in replacing Benitez – who Ashley would like to secure to a new deal. Benitez has and still is the perfect man for this Newcastle job and letting him leave could be a huge mistake. Should the club choose to keep the Spaniard and also back him in the transfer market with big money, then the club could achieve anything next season – even European football. Benitez is the right man but he needs clarity and he needs backing immediately by the club, no matter who is in charge.