Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez says he has put his summer transfer plans on hold until the club have secured promotion to the Premier League.
Reports from the Chronicle have suggested that the Magpies boss has already had a number of meetings about transfers and that the club are looking to recruit up to six first team players in the summer, but the Spaniard told the Shields Gazette that his concentration is now firmly on the last five games of the Championship season:
“How many managers at this stage of the season would be preparing for the next season five years ago? Maybe 80%. How many managers now? Probably 50%. Football has changed so much. It is important to keep doing your job.”
“You have to keep doing your job for the future, but you must concentrate on this game, this week. Why? Because if you start thinking too much about the future you lose your focus. We have to go out. We have win then we have plenty of time to prepare for the future. We have to do the right things.”
Newcastle are currently second behind Brighton in the Championship table but are ten points ahead of third place Huddersfield Town heading into tomorrow’s fixture against Leeds United at St James’ Park.
Gary Monk’s side are currently in fifth place, and are closing in on a playoff spot. They will head in to the encounter in confident mood after securing a 3-0 win against Preston North End last time out.
