A lot of Newcastle United fans have responded to Adrian Durham and Darren Bent’s talk on Newcastle.
The pair were discussing Steve Bruce’s record against Rafael Benitez’s record, and they asked on-air if Newcastle fans would take Benitez back.
Who would you prefer as Newcastle boss?
Bruce
Benitez
This led to a mixed response from a lot of Toon fans with some wanting Benitez back.
"If Rafa Benitez said 'I really want to be back at Newcastle United.'" ?
"#NUFC fans, would you honestly say yes, 'We'd rather have you, than Steve Bruce'?" ?
"Steve Bruce is not doing a bad job at all." @talkSPORTDrive asks an interesting hypothetical question… pic.twitter.com/g4lpoZOxnC
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 20, 2020
Let’s not forget first season in PL after promotion Rafa steered #NUFC to a top half finish with Joselu leading the line who by all accounts couldnt get a game at Stoke who later went on to go down that season. NUFC are currently in the bottom half with a 40m striker.
— Si (@SimonBlaquiere1) January 20, 2020
You just don’t get it do you ??. You never will get it either. Who would you rather have at your club ??. A man who has won some of the highest honours in Europe as a manager or someone who has been promoted 4 times ??. The CV speaks for itself and he wanted to improve the 1/2
— Allan Mawson (@AllanMawson) January 21, 2020
Hypothetically if you had the choice of Rafa and Steve for your club, who would you pick?? Mike Ashley is the problem at Newcastle United. Criticising the fans for wanting the best for our club is wrong
— Jonny (@jbomb91) January 20, 2020
Would have him back in a heartbeat. Brucey doing a great job no question. But Rafa is a different class. No comparisons needed
— Gary Hornsby (@gary_hornsby) January 20, 2020
Of course I would want Rafa over Steve Bruce! I can’t believe anyone wouldn’t.
He has proven NOTHING so far as the season isn’t over. The league is super tight this season, which has helped him.
‘Disrespectful to Steve Bruce’ ???
He should be nowhere near a PL club!
— BT (@BirtleyBadBoy) January 21, 2020
Other Newcastle supporters, though, are happy with Bruce and would rather have him.
No I’d never have him back…poisoned Newcastle against Newcastle!!!!
— Matt (@MattDaw86111723) January 20, 2020
Definitely not and I think most Newcastle fans would agree. Rafa played boring football with the mentality of don’t get beat. That’s OK when playing away to good teams but at home to lower clubs it’s horrendous. Steve Bruce is doing a much better job and that is a FACT!
— Kev (@Kev22620413) January 21, 2020
I wouldn’t have Benitez back as much I was a fanboy of his. Bruce is doing better than he did so, I cant believe I’m saying this, it would be a step backwards.
Benitez got the fans singing again, that cannot be denied even by @Neilyhall8. But I wouldn’t have him back.
— Matt Batty ? (@MattyJBatty) January 20, 2020
What do we think?
It cannot be denied that Bruce is doing a good job with Newcastle; they are sitting on 29 points and have taken points off Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
However, the former Aston Villa boss was given £90m to spend last summer. When Benitez was in charge of the Toon, the most he spent was when the club went down into the Championship.
Bruce has a £40m striker upfront Benitez had to use Joselu (£5m) and Salomon Rondon (Season-long loan) as his strikers.
The former Liverpool boss also signed Martin Dubravka, Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden, Miguel Almiron, and Federico Fernandez, all players who have been very important to the Toon this season.
Yes, Bruce is doing a good job, and he deserves praise, but the context of Benitez’s situation must be remembered.