Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez may sit down for one-on-one talks with Magpies owner Mike Ashley after next weekend’s clash with Fulham, according to The Chronicle.
The newspaper claims that next Sunday’s trip to Craven Cottage could signal the start of renewed negotiations between the Newcastle boss and the Sports Direct tycoon.
The Spaniard is in the final two months of his current contract and has yet to commit to fresh terms, with hopes over a deal being concluded before the end of the Premier League season far from guaranteed.
Indeed, the Chronicle’s report states that it remains to be seen whether Ashley will even be in attendance for the final day clash with the already-relegated Cottagers.
OPINION
This is encouraging news from The Chronicle, although far from a definitive verdict. However, the fact that they are even broaching the subject of talks between Benitez and Ashley is encouraging, considering the distance that has always existed between the two parties. Clearly, both men need to get in a room together and hash out terms over a new deal for Benitez, because this has dragged on for far too long now. Really, Benitez’s future should have been sorted a long time ago, and at any other Premier League club it surely would have been. However, if Ashley and Benitez can meet face to face then that will be a colossal step in the right direction when it comes to the latter’s future. The former Liverpool boss obviously has some thoughts and concerns regarding where the Magpies are heading and the ambition of the people running the club. But if Ashley can assuage those doubts, then there’s surely little to stop Benitez from putting pen to paper on a new contract.
