Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards has delivered a stinging verdict on the current situation at Newcastle United.
Responding to a Chronicle article that claimed Benitez had been giving mixed messages about his negotiations for a new deal on Tyneside, Edwards seemed to suggest that indecision was a typical trait of the Spaniard.
The journalist then went on to suggest that the proposed takeover from the Bin Zayed Group was becoming “tiresome”.
Writing on his personal account, he said: “Mixed messages from Rafa on this contract? He’s been giving mixed messages for the last two years.
“I’d say this is just Rafa being Rafa.
“As for the Bin Zayed Group. Lots of noise, not much action.
“Tiresome doesn’t do it justice.”
Mixed messages from Rafa on this contract? He’s been giving mixed messages for the last two years. I’d say this is just Rafa being Rafa. As for the Bin Zayed Group. Lots of noise, not much action. Tiresome doesn’t do it justice. ????? https://t.co/xgSDJIxAAU
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) June 2, 2019
OPINION
Edwards has hit the nail on the head here. Newcastle fans must be at the end of their tethers with the way things are going at the club. There are two main issues that need addressing, and neither one seems to be any closer to a meaningful resolution. The most pressing thing is definitely getting Rafa Benitez tied down to a new deal, but the impression you get is that that could be dependant on the second issue: this proposed takeover. If a deal is genuinely in the offing, then is Mike Ashley going to bust a gut to get the Spaniard to sign a contract? Probably not. The issue you then have is that the new owners may not want him at all, and even if they do, by the time this takeover happens, if it happens, then his deal will probably have expired anyway. This summer has the potential to be fantastic for Newcastle, but it also has the potential to be disastrous. At the moment, you would bet against the latter.