Paul Merson has heaped praise on Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez and suggested that he is “one of the best” football bosses around.
The Spaniard has helped guide the Magpies to 13th in the Premier League table, seven points clear of the relegation zone, and Sky pundit Merson has been eager to sing his praises.
While raving about Benitez, Merson compared the manager to Pep Guardiola and claimed that the Man City boss couldn’t do the same job Benitez was doing at St James’ Park.
Speaking on Soccer Saturday (Saturday March 30th, 13.10, Sky Sports News), he said: “Tactically, I think if he wasn’t manager of Newcastle, they’d be bottom three, quite easily.
“What he gets out of these players, week in, week out, they all know what they’re doing. when you watch them play, it doesn’t look like they’re just falling over something. He’s got them knowing what they need to do.
“Absolutely phenomenal. I think he’s up there with the best. You go on about Pep Guardiola and how great he is, could he do what he’s doing at Newcastle? No chance.”
OPINION
This is high, high praise indeed from Merson. To suggest that Benitez is doing a better job than even Guardiola could do on Tyneside is a massive, massive claim, and one that will have Newcastle fans beaming with pride. They adore him in at St. James’ Park, and it’s easy to see why. With barely any backing from his board he has managed to create a side capable of avoiding relegation at a canter, and he has instilled a real positive feeling around the place as well. There will be riots if he is allowed to leave the club, but you feel that the admiration is definitely reciprocated. You feel as if Rafa has a real soft spot for the Toon Army, and even with all the uncertainty surrounding his future and Mike Ashley’s ownership, it’s just difficult to see him walking away from the club any time soon. However if he does with people like Merson believing Benitez is better than Premier League rivals such as Guardiola, offers will come his way.
