A lot of Newcastle United fans have responded to a tweet from NUFC 360, which has relayed quotes made by Keith Downie in his live Q&A.
He has said that it is ‘almost inevitable’ that Newcastle would go after Rafael Benitez if the proposed takeover is completed.
Downie also claimed that he would be ‘very surprised’ if Amanda Staveley and the board go after someone else, while the Sky Sports reporter believes that Benitez would find it very hard to turn down.
Are you excited by this update?
Yes
No
This has gone down very well with many Toon fans.
According to Sky Sports @SkySports_Keith, Staveley and the board are expected to go after Rafa Benitez in a managerial role. He calls it "almost inevitable". #NUFC
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) April 16, 2020
This is the best choice! Rafa knows club’s soul and totally understand our fanbase! Please be true!?
— Evgeny Kolobrodov (@Jason_Mag) April 16, 2020
He would be my first choice.
— Angel??? (@01dunnn) April 16, 2020
To be fair looking at a long term project Rafa would be a perfect starting point as he already has plans in his head for progression
— Neil J R (@NeilJonNUFC) April 16, 2020
That would top the lot, Ashley gone, new owners with plenty of backing and get Rafa back, the man who kicked off the whole takeover by getting Staveley involved!!
— Brady (@BRADY1892) April 16, 2020
CANS LADS SCENESSSSSSSSS
— Alex W (@WesterosMagpie) April 16, 2020
I would be buzzing to see him back but I’d prefer someone like Poch
— Its Bryson (@Eric_Bryson_89) April 16, 2020
BOOOOOOM IF THIS IS TRUE
— Barry Thomas (@bazza080808) April 16, 2020
great news. love rafa. ?.
— Mark Lawrence (@MarkLaw404) April 16, 2020
What do we think?
What Downie said appears to contradict claims from a recent report in the Daily Mail – which suggested that getting Benitez out of his contract with Dalian Yifang would be very hard.
However, despite this, that piece in the Daily Mail does not dismiss the possibility of Benitez coming back to Newcastle, though it emphasises that it may be tricky to pull off.
If the takeover goes through, then Downie seems to believe that Benitez will be the top target to become the manager.
It will be interesting to see how this situation develops over the next few weeks.