TalkSport host Adrian Durham has given his view on the idea that Rafael Benitez could return to Newcastle United.
Following the dismissal of Steve Bruce last week, the Toon are currently under the leadership of assistant manager Graeme Jones who is taking charge of the team on an ‘interim basis’ whilst the club sort out a permanent appointment.
There were reports in 2020 that a return for the Spaniard could be on the cards once the club’s takeover was completed due to the new owner’s previous connections with him, something that would have gone down well with a large number of Newcastle United fans given their relationship.
Speaking about the matter on TalkSport (4:38), Durham felt that a return to St James’ Park could very well be on the cards for Benitez, hinting that, given his relationship with the Everton fans didn’t get off to the best start, it might be very easy to make the move despite only being appointed at Goodison Park this summer:
“Here’s the thing, Newcastle need a manager… What we know is the Newcastle fans love him… He really connected with that club and with the community, didn’t he? So there’s a real positive.
“We understand Amanda Staveley is a big fan of his and wants him to be back at the football club… and she’s got a big say in that decision as we understand it, so for me I can’t see any losers in this.
“I do not believe Everton fans deep down if they had the choice, I don’t think they would want Rafa Benitez as their manager. They accepted it because it happened, and they’re not going to cause him all sorts of grief just because he’s been given the job, they’re going to try and get behind the manager because they want their team to do well.
“But I don’t think ultimately it will be their choice to have Rafa as manager. So I think they’d be quite happy for him to go. And I think Newcastle want him, I think Rafa would be happier at Newcastle as well. I can’t see a loser in this situation.”
TIF Thoughts on Adrian Durham’s comments about Rafael Benitez and Newcastle United
Do you think Rafa Benitez could become the next Newcastle manager after Eddie Howe?
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Appointing Benitez would certainly be one way to keep the good feeling on Tyneside alive following a disappointing start to life under the new owners with one point in two games, not just because of the emotional side of things but also when it comes to winning trophies, something that the owners want, and Benitez has a history of delivering.
Whether or not it is feasible though is a different matter. Writing in a recent mailbag section for The Athletic recently, Newcastle United journalist George Caulkin noted that ‘Benitez is honourable and has a simple rule: he doesn’t break contracts. Things can always change, I guess, but that’s where things stand’, so it might be hard to get him out of Goodison Park at this time.
But whilst it might be hard to do so now, that doesn’t mean it can be totally ruled out. If the connections are there between the new owners, Benitez and the fans, then the foundations for the future are already set. And if the two sides want to make something happen in a few years’ time, then it shouldn’t come as a big surprise.
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