Micky Quinn has suggested that Newcastle United need to be under new ownership if the club are to convince Rafa Benitez to remain in charge and take the club to the next level.
Newcastle’s owner Mike Ashley is in talks over a potential £350million sale of the club to Dubai billionaire Sheikh Khaled Bin Zaid Al Nehayan, according to The Sun.
That could see Ashley’s 12-year stint as Newcastle’s owners come to an end, with Benitez’s future still unclear with the Spaniard believed to be wanting to be given greater freedom in the transfer market to invest in his squad and take the club to the next level.
Quinn believes Newcastle’s ownership needs to change for the club to keep Benitez and make further progress after two successive mid-table finishes in the Premier League.
“All I want is for Newcastle to go to the next level, first of all get Rafa secured on a new deal,” Quinn told Talksport on Monday [7:44am].
“It’s a magnificent stadium for football right in the city centre, the fans are crying out for success they’ve not won a trophy since 69.”
“The club has been ran very well on a sort of budget that Rafa has had to play with. Ashley has been there but they need to go to the next level and they need Rafa to stay.”
OPINION
Quinn is right to suggest that Newcastle need to get some new owners who are willing to invest to give the club an opportunity to keep hold of Benitez. The Spaniard is wanting to be given some more control over their transfer policy and that does not appear to be very likely under the ownership of Ashley. However, with the talks of a potential new takeover at St James’ Park that could signal a change in fortunes for the club, and will provide a better chance of keeping Benitez and progressing beyond mid-table in the Premier League. As Quinn suggests Newcastle supporters are crying out for success, and will be hopeful that new owners can come in and provide the sort of investment needed to get the club competing for European places in the Premier League and also for domestic trophies. Benitez’s future is going to be vital to whether the club can make progress next season, with the Spaniard performing excellently so far in his time at St James’ Park. Quinn’s comments will be reflected by the supporters feelings and everyone connected with the club will hope for a swift conclusion to any sale, so that Newcastle can get on with investing in the squad and keeping Benitez.
