Newcastle United may decide to call Rafael Benitez’s bluff amid interest from China in his services, according to The Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas.
The north east reporter claims that, while the Spaniard’s preference remains to stay with the Magpies, the lack of compromise from the club on key matters like recruitment may see him walk away.
Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that Chinese club Dalian Yifang are ready to make the former Liverpool boss the highest paid manager in the country at £12million-per-year.
However, Douglas feels that the Newcastle bosses have shown no sign of compromise on key issues, suggesting that they are prepared to call Benitez’s bluff on this Chinese interest.
OPINION
They’re great at reading the mood of the Newcastle supporters at St James’ Park, aren’t they? … Surely they realise that keeping Benitez at the club is key to season ticket sales, continued support of the team and the general mood in the city. If they let him walk out the door then they will face a huge backlash from supporters. Despite that, though, they are seemingly ready to call the Spaniard’s bluff on his opportunity to become one of the highest paid managers in world football – only at Newcastle, eh. Clearly the Magpies bosses have made what they consider to be an acceptable contract offer to Benitez – whose current deal expires in 11 days – but he obviously sees the matter entirely differently. Neither party seem to want to compromise, leaving us with this current sticky situation. It’s no surprise with things at such an impasse that another team have come in for the Newcastle boss. He is obviously going to be in demand, but the powers-that-be at St James’ are clearly ready to pay Russian Roulette with his future.
