Dean Saunders has claimed that Newcastle United fans will be fearing that the club could take a turn for the worse following the departure of Rafael Benitez.
It was announced on Monday that the Spaniard will be leaving St James’ Park on Sunday, after failing to agree an extension to his contract.
Speaking on talkSPORT‘s The Final Word programme (18:25, Sunday June 30th), Saunders said that Benitez’s departure could spell trouble for the Magpies.
“Every Newcastle fan has seen some dark, dark days,” the pundit said.
“There have been some good days but there have been some real dark days.
“And they must be looking now, thinking ‘Benitez held this club together for three years. If it wasn’t for him, we’d be a shambles’.
“And they must be thinking, ‘Well, we might end up a shambles again here’. It must be in the back of their minds.”
OPINION
Saunders is exactly right with these comments. Benitez was the glue that stuck the Newcastle faithful together over the past three seasons, and the fact that he is going to leave really could spell trouble for the club. Next season has become one of the most important in the club’s recent history – perhaps since their season in the Championship when it was imperative that they secured a return to the top flight. Now, it is imperative that they secure Premier League football for the long-term, because there is a real chance of that not happening now. The Magpies have gone right back to square one, now needing to appoint a new manager and new signings with only 42 days until the club face Newcastle in their opening Premier League game. It is set to be a turbulent few weeks for Newcastle fans, and they better brace themselves for a lot more anger and despair.
