OPINION
We are now in March but the Rafael Benitez contract saga which has consumed Newcastle United all season continues to rage on.
The Spaniard is out of contract at the end of the campaign and no progress has seemingly been made for several months now. Benitez wishes to secure the Magpies’ Premier League status before he sits down with the club’s hierarchy.
Newcastle attacker Ayoze Perez, though, is absolutely adamant that the club should tie his countryman down: “He’s been really important for us,” he told The Chronicle.
“He has done a lot for Newcastle and we have to be thankful that we have got him, after what he has done for the club. Obviously, he is a part of what we are doing here. Last season we finished 10th – that means something. Hopefully we can do the same this season as he is doing a great job. He always stays calm and obviously we have to look after him,” he finished.
‘We have to look after him’ – that is the key part of Perez’s message. He wants the club to accede to Benitez’s demands and get the job done in regards to his new deal.
As all Newcastle fans are aware, it would be an absolute disaster if Benitez leaves the club this summer. He is the heart and soul of the Magpies and he has performed miracles time and again since coming to Tyneside.
The club do need to look after him, he deserves it. The players, based off Perez’s comments, clearly want him to stay. Why wouldn’t they? He is a world class manager who has elevated everyone’s game in his time at St James’ Park.
Perez is clear on what the next step needs to be and so are the fans. Now the club needs to show their commitment to Benitez and secure his long term future.
