OPINION
No one wants Rafa Benitez to leave Newcastle United but with the Spaniard’s contract at St James’ Park expires in a weeks time and it is looking less and less likely that he will stay on with each passing hour.
However there could be an ideal situation for the Magpies fans when it comes to Benitez’s future – even if he does leave.
Mike Ashley is in the process of selling the Tyneside club to the Bin Zayed Group for a potential fee of £350million.
Newcastle’s potential change of ownership may have had a negative impact on getting Benitez to stay, but if Ashley ends up leaving St James’ Park for good, that will no doubt be a massive boost for the supporters.
The Chronicle has now reported that if Benitez does leave the Magpies when his contract expires at the end of next week, he could still re-enter talks to be re-hired, if Ashley has sold up to BZG.
Newcastle fans are unlikely to get good odds on that happening because Benitez has reportedly received a massive offer to head to China.
However the Chronicle claims that the ex-Liverpool boss could stay around England and see what happens before making any decision to jet out to the Far East and chase a hefty paycheck.
If Benitez stays around for a while after his contract expires, Ashley might end up selling the club. If he doesn’t sell to BZG then Benitez can move on with his career and do whatever he thinks his best for his Merseyside-based family.
It would definitely be massive news for Newcastle fans if Benitez does end up taking charge of the club’s first game of next season against Arsenal at St James’ Park.
He has done a stunning job at the club and you can just imagine the roar he would receive if he was to walk out of the tunnel on August 11 with a new contract and without the financial restrictions of Ashley.
