OPINION
Newcastle United fans don’t want the earth.
The vast majority of Geordies understand that their club can’t be challenging for titles or competing in the Champions League year after year, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t want to see their club conduct themselves with pride and ambition.
Unfortunately, for the best part of a decade and a half that hasn’t been the case at all, with Mike Ashley perpetually weighing down the club like the proverbial albatross around the neck.
This summer, with talk of a takeover rife and hopes of some actual investment in the transfer market coming to fruition, the Magpies could finally shift some of the dark clouds that have taken residence above St. James’ Park.
The main priority, however, has to be getting Rafa Benitez tied down to a new contract.
The Spaniard is still yet agree to terms on a deal that would extend beyond the expiration of his current on, which runs out at the end of the month.
Many supporters will feel that keeping him could be the key to any kind of meaningful success next season, but according to Sky Sports pundit Danny Mills, his departure could mean more than just a season in the doldrums.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I think players will want stability, a lot of those players will have signed for Rafael Benitez, not just Newcastle. They’ll be thinking ‘Okay, where’s Rafa going?’ Am I going to play? Rafa likes me, brilliant, then I’ve got a great chance of playing.’
“Suddenly the manager goes, that changes everything. It’s an unusual situation but a lot of those players, I’d say that Rafa was integral as to whether they stay or go. That needs to be nailed down very, very quickly. If it hasn’t been done internally, it needs to be sorted.”
Mills raises a very valid point hear, and it’s a worrying premonition that will surely have crossed the minds of many Newcastle fans.
Losing Benitez is one thing, but the potential exodus that could accompany his exit could be simply devastating.
