Former Newcastle striker Micky Quinn believes that the club’s owner Mike Ashley must reassure manager Rafa Benitez of his total commitment to back him if he wants the Spaniard to stay with the Magpies.
Writing in his column for the Chronicle, Quinn says he has it on good authority that Rafa wasn’t happy about the lack of activity during the January transfer window, and that Ashley will need to give the Newcastle boss his full backing with a blank cheque in order for the meeting between the pair to go smoothly
The one key issue for Benitez, according to Quinn, is that promises must be kept going forward:
“I know for a fact that Rafa was not happy after January. He felt promises were not met and he wants to be reassured that they will be going forward. First and foremost, Ashley just needs to tell Rafa straightaway at this meeting that he will back him, that he wants him to stay, and that he can rebuild the football club how he see fits.”
The Chronicle have reported that a £100m transfer budget could be a possibility but it is unlikely we will get a full picture of the club’s summer transfer plans until after the meeting between Benitez and Ashley takes place.
The club still have some unfinished business this season with one final game to play. A win against Barnsley on Sunday could seal the Championship title if Brighton slip up at Aston Villa.
