Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has still not spoken to manager Rafa Benitez despite his first public appearance at a match since May 2017, according to the Chronicle.
The regional newspaper report that the Sports Direct tycoon has not followed up his attendance of their 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace by meeting Benitez.
The Chronicle claim that it is not clear whether Ashley will be involved in the upcoming transfer summit, which is set to outline the club’s position heading into the January transfer window.
OPINION
This is an interesting revelation from the Chronicle, but not one that will come as a surprise to anyone. Ashley and Benitez have endured a frosty relationship for well over a year now, and that does not look likely to change any time soon. The tycoon’s unwillingness to provide Benitez with the required backing in the transfer market has caused huge tensions within the club, and that stance again does not look likely to change. Ashley sees Newcastle as a business, not as a football club, and as long as he remains at the club, progress is very unlikely to be made. Technically the club remains up for sale, but there is little sign that Ashley actually wants to sell it on. The fact is that he makes a very healthy profit each year thanks to the club, and he is unlikely to want to pass that on unless the price is right.
