The primary reason that Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez hasn’t signed a new contract is that his concerns about the club’s ambition haven’t been resolved, according to The Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh.
The Magpies reporter believes that the delay in the Spaniard signing a new deal is because he’s yet to be given the assurances he wants over the club’s long-term plan.
The assurances he desires in terms of recruitment, transfer budget, wage structure and improvements to the training ground have not been forthcoming either.
However, the main thing is that he doesn’t believe his ambitions are matched by the Mike Ashley-owned Magpies, leaving him with a contract with just eight days to run.
OPINION
You can’t blame Benitez for feeling this way, can you? Since he’s been at the club he’s never really been backed in the transfer market and certainly not in making costly behind-the-scenes upgrades to the club’s training ground and academy. He is now at the point where he feels that with that right resources he can push on and get the Magpies back where they belong towards the top of the Premier League table. However, he’s clearly doubtful that he will receive those resources. Ashley has never been one to open his chequebook for his manager, something which has long been a bone of contention for Benitez. Ultimately, though, it’s the owner’s lack of ambition which is really frustrating the Newcastle boss. It’s resulted in us facing this bizarre situation where one of the best managers in the world has just eight days remaining on his Magpies contract. Goodness gracious, we really need to get this sorted out as soon as possible.
