In recent comments made while speaking on Keys & Gray The Podcast, Richard Keys discussed former Newcastle United boss, Rafael Benítez.
The Spaniard took over at Newcastle in March 2016, with the club second-bottom of the Premier League table.
And although Newcastle did not manage to escape the drop that season – finishing just two points behind 17th-placed Sunderland – the following year, Benítez stayed with the Magpies throughout their Championship campaign, guiding the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking as the second-tier champions.
After guiding the club to a top-half finish on their return to the top flight, before another solidly placed 13th in the 2018/19 season, Benítez eventually left the club in June of 2019 after failing to agree on a new deal with club owner, Mike Ashley.
And, on the subject of the Spaniard’s spell in the North East, Richard Keys recently stated on Keys & Gray The Podcast that he believed Benítez only “cared about the bonus”.
Keys said: “I was right about Rafa [Benítez]. Rafa’s objective was ‘Rafa’ – [it] always was, when he coached.
“I’ve said before I think he was the most selfish coach ever to work in the Premier League – he cared about the bonus, Steve Bruce cares about silverware.”
TIF Thoughts…
While it is absolutely no secret what Keys thinks about Benítez – he has criticised the Spaniard multiple times on a variety of different topics – the argument that Benítez only cares about money is a slightly odd stick to beat the former Liverpool manager with.
As previously stated, although he suffered relegation with Newcastle in his first season at the club, Benítez stayed on regardless, managing at a level of football which he had likely not done since his days in charge of CD Tenerife back in the early 2000s.
Do you think Richard Keys has an agenda against Newcastle?
For sure
Nah
In any case, these comments can be added to the list of Keys’ critiques of the 60-year-old.