Newcastle’s return to the Premier League has been extremely successful and Rafael Benitez is now focusing his attention towards a busy transfer window, where the experienced boss will be hoping to significantly improve his side.
There continues to be a wealth of uncertainty at St. James’ Park though, with Benitez’s future consistently attracting speculation and the club remaining up for sale, which may limit the financial support issued to the manager in the market this summer.
Benitez’s demands for cash could lead to a sticking point in the coming months though and former Newcastle keeper Steve Harper has urged the club to back Benitez in the market, in quotes made to The Chronicle:
“He needs to be backed this summer, definitely. If the situation was to stay the same, then again it would be difficult next year – and then you’re into second-season syndrome, where teams work you out and they know how you’re going to play, so they’re better prepared for you.”
“Hopefully he is going to be backed, because if he takes them to 10th this season, that would be a huge bonus – and any funds from that need to go back into the team through rebuilding. Is he going to be backed with money to the tune of making Newcastle competitive for the top six? I think that’s highly unlikely.”
“But it would be nice if they did back him and, if they do back him sufficiently, then ideally he would sign a new contract and be able to build something by growing year on year. Then you can move up a position or two every year and really get this club competitive again.”
“If they finish 10th, that’s an incredible achievement and he needs to be backed, because if he is backed, the players he has brought in – the likes of Kenedy, [Martin] Dubravka – they’ve shown the quality and level that he wants to work with. That would be the ideal scenario, but having spent 20 years here you know that is doesn’t always work like that.”
