OPINION
Keeping Rafael Benitez is every Newcastle United fan’s priority right now and you can imagine that it might well be Mike Ashley’s too.
The Spanish boss has been the centre of attention for some time now with a contract that comes to an end this summer and there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the Toon Army just yet.
Having worked miracles with a lack of transfer funds made available by the owner, you just know that Ashley would rather splash the cash on keeping him on board and not having to invest in the squad than having a new man in the dugout and providing money to improve the side.
So what of the players currently at St James’ Park?
Their futures likely lie in what happens to Benitez – if he stays, he will likely want to keep many of them on board.
If he leaves though, the situation could get a whole lot worse for Newcastle.
Speaking of his manager, Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles seemed to speak for the entire dressing room, telling the Northern Echo: “We’ll try to do anything we can to seal this manager down to a contract. If that means us getting the job done and getting as safe as possible, then excellent. We’ll just concentrate on our football and let the rest take care of itself.”
Benitez is adored not only by the fans in the stands but the men out on the pitch and his departure could see many of the squad demanding an exit of their own – after all, why would you stay at a club who cannot keep the best manager they have had in years?
Lascelles’ dressing room message is clear – we want Benitez to stay – and the alarm bells must be ringing for Ashley as he persists in getting the Spaniard tied down to a new deal.
