Former Newcastle United player Nolberto Solano has urged the club’s board to resolve Rafa Benitez’s situation and give him the backing he needs to take the Magpies forward.
Newcastle have so far this summer failed to agree a new deal with Benitez to keep him at St James’ Park for next season, with Mike Ashley also remaining silent over the potential of a takeover with the club, according to the Chronicle.
Solano has now urged Newcastle’s hierarchy to resolve the situation over Benitez’s future and provide the Spaniard with the backing needed to help improve the club further.
“I don’t think Rafa Benitez can do much in the situation. If the owner does not help him what can he do? I believe Rafa wants to take things forward,” Solano told the Chronicle.
“We’re now into June and as everybody knows a manager needs time to sign players in time for pre-season training. The worry is that pre-season is just three weeks away now.
“I believe Rafa has a plan. He knows where they are going in pre-season and what they will do. But he needs to sign players and wheel and deal. It just puts the club in a really bad position.”
OPINION
Solano is right to suggest that the uncertainty over Newcastle’s manager situation will be negatively affecting the club ahead of pre-season. The former Newcastle player is also correct to urge the club to resolve the situation swiftly and let Benitez implement his plans ahead of next term. However, currently there is much in doubt at St James’ Park, given the situations over Benitez’s future and the club’s potential ownership. That will prevent the club from preparing right for next season, if they do not quickly resolve both issues, with as Solano suggests Benitez needing to spend time on recruitment ahead of next term. Newcastle simply must start to resolve the situation with Benitez, whether he is staying or leaving, with the Magpies at a real risk of starting the season behind in their preparations compared to most other Premier League clubs. Benitez is wanting to be backed properly in the transfer market and the club will need to do that if they are to keep the Spaniard.