Newcastle United are set for a shakeup behind the scenes as Mike Ashley faces a dilemma over what sort of direction to head in following Rafael Benitez’s exit, according to the Sunderland Echo.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Spaniard’s impending departure, his contract coming to an end this week, has left the owner pondering whether to move away from having a traditional manager in charge and instead appointing a head coach.
It is stated that Benitez’s arrival ended the former setup that was in place but that Ashley could revert to what was implemented beforehand, with the Spaniard said to have been looking for assurances over control that the owner would not give him.
As such, Newcastle look on course to return back to their old style of hierarchy, with the individual in the dugout not holding control over recruitment as Benitez did during his three years in charge.
Opinion
Newcastle’s board have always wanted to be the ones in control and appointing Benitez upset the status quo at St James’ Park. It should come as no surprise that the likes of Ashley are looking to wrestle back command and reintroduce their autocratic style of management, where they possess all the power. Benitez’s approach was one of the reasons he was so adored by the Toon Army – he was willing to stand up to Ashley and fight for what he felt the club needed. Now the fear among the supporters will be that the owner is simply going to appoint a ‘yes man’ who will simply abide by the rules and regulations set out by those in the boardroom. It has not worked in the past, the decision makers woefully out of tune with how to run a successful football club and you can imagine it is not going to work out in their favour this time around.
