Stan Collymore says it wouldn’t be a shock if Rafa Benitez decided to walk away from Newcastle after securing Premier League survival this season.
The Magpies are 16th in the table and two points from safety with two massive back-to-back home games on the horizon against fellow strugglers Southampton and Huddersfield.
Benitez is universally adored on Tyneside, although his future at St James’ Park is a constant source of discussion and the United boss is known to be frustrated by the lack of serious investment from the board in three consecutive transfer windows.
And pundit Collymore, speaking in a Q&A with Betstars, can foresee Benitez quitting if he is not backed by Mike Ashley in the summer.
“I think what he’s been frustrated with is that he was promised funds to be able to kick Newcastle on to the next level which Mike Ashley hasn’t given him because of the projected takeover which obviously hasn’t happened now,” Collymore said.
“I think that he will make sure that they fight tooth and nail to make sure they stay in the league and it wouldn’t at all surprise me if he keeps them in the league but then he walks and he says ‘right I’ve had enough’.
“With the greatest of respect to Newcastle there are probably five or six premium jobs that are going to be going, whether it be at international or club level that he would walk into with his CV.”
Newcastle face Southampton on Saturday but face a three-week wait before they take on Huddersfield.
