NFR Benitez to leave Newcastle

[WhiteJC]

Rafael Benitez: Newcastle United manager to leave club

Newcastle United fans have been calling for Rafael Benitez to stay on at St James' Park

Newcastle United say manager Rafael Benitez will leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June.

The Magpies finished 13th in the Premier League last season as Spaniard Benitez, who took over in March 2016, secured the club's top-flight status.

"We have worked hard to extend Rafa's contract over a significant period of time," said a Newcastle statement.

"However, it has not been - and will not be - possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives."

The statement added: "The process to appoint a successor will now begin."

There has been continued speculation about his future prior to the club announcing his departure, with Benitez receiving a £12m-a-year offer to take over as manager at Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.

Former Valencia, Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Benitez's coaching staff of Paco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia will also leave the club on 30 June.

Newcastle appointed Benitez as successor to Steve McClaren with the club one point from Premier League safety with 10 games left in the 2015-2016 campaign.

The 59-year-old could not prevent the St James' Park club from being relegated but they won the 2016-17 Championship title to secure an immediate return.

Newcastle finished 10th in their first season back in the Premier League and 13th last season.

"We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved," the statement added.

"We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty."

There has been talk of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley being in talks to sell the club to United Arab Emirates billionaire Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan's investment group this summer.

BBC Sport understands Benitez's departure does not affect the proposed takeover.

Former Swansea boss Garry Monk and current Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta are among the early favourites to replace Benitez, while one bookmaker has already paid out on Newcastle to be relegated next season.

Benitez's record at Newcastle United

	Games	Wins	Draws	Losses	Win %
Premier League	86	27	38	38	31.4%
Championship	46	29	7	10	63.04%
FA Cup	8	3	2	3	37.5%
League Cup	6	3	1	2	50%
Total	146	62	31	53	42.47%

Analysis
Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

Newcastle United's supporters will feel devastated and betrayed once more after confirmation that Rafael Benitez is leaving St James' Park.

The gap between Benitez's demands on control, budget, transfer strategy and infrastructure and owner Mike Ashley's strict policy on the running of the club simply could not be bridged, as seemed increasingly obvious in the final weeks of the season.

In many respects this is a battle no-one wins.

Benitez will currently struggle to find a club that fits his stature as a Champions League winner with Liverpool, a Europa League winner with Chelsea and a manager treated as the saviour of Newcastle United by supporters who revered the Spaniard.

He has a lucrative offer on the table from Chinese Super League Club Dalian Yifang - but is this really what he has in mind at this stage of his career?

Ashley will not win as it seems impossible he will find a successor who comes anywhere near Benitez's success, experience and expertise - although this may not concern him as his sole victory is seemingly keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League until the club can be sold.

And, once again, the biggest losers will be the long-suffering fans of Newcastle United as they lose a manager they loved and see their club plunged into crisis once more.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48746689

[FFC1987]

I think this means the takeover is a way off.

[Burt]

I would be gutted as a Newcastle supporter - they've had a slew of misfiring and misfit managers and in Rafa it felt like the perfect match.

[Mince n Tatties]

Sorry Scotty your demoted to No2,Rafa on his way.😉

[grandad]

We possibly may not get Gayle now. Unless Ashley tells the new manager to sell before he can buy.

[FFC1987]

We possibly may not get Gayle now. Unless Ashley tells the new manager to sell before he can buy.

I don't think this will have an impact. Newcastle notoriously work behind the scenes without their manager on transfers.

[bobby01]

I think this means the takeover is a way off.

Could be sheik whatever his called said don't renew his contract, we don't want him and don't want to pay him off. Just speculation on my part, based on nothing.

[toshes mate]

We possibly may not get Gayle now. Unless Ashley tells the new manager to sell before he can buy.

I don't think this will have an impact. Newcastle notoriously work behind the scenes without their manager on transfers.

Absolutely the case since control of recruitment, team development etc were areas included in the reasons for Benitez not being prepared to accept a new contract.

[N_O_W_S]

I think this means the takeover is a way off.

I love this. Refreshingly honest.

I think the Sheik was proven to not actually have that much capital at his disposal.


Could be sheik whatever his called said don't renew his contract, we don't want him and don't want to pay him off. Just speculation on my part, based on nothing.

[FFC1987]

I think this means the takeover is a way off.

I love this. Refreshingly honest.

I think the Sheik was proven to not actually have that much capital at his disposal.


Could be sheik whatever his called said don't renew his contract, we don't want him and don't want to pay him off. Just speculation on my part, based on nothing.

My friends a big time Newcastle fan and started to get a bit excited about this but was cautious. I saw an article at the time suggesting the sheikh in question had a past of creating media attention on takeovers and buyouts but never following through with it. Sounds liek it could of been the case here. I feel for the Newcastle fans.

[Nero]

So will he turn up at Chelsea or China, and what odds for Newcastle to be relegated.

[Buffalo76]

He's being offered £25m a season in China so he'll be packing his suitcase as we speak I would think!

[JoelH5]

We possibly may not get Gayle now. Unless Ashley tells the new manager to sell before he can buy.

I think this could cause the Gayle transfer. Ashley supposedly said the transfer budget is 50 mill plus sales. Gayle wont play for them next season and so 70 million to spend sounds a lot more attractive.

[Andy S]

Football has gone mad again

[hovewhite]

Again DOF now make decisions on players seems like every club is same as Fulham.

[The Rational Fan]

We possibly may not get Gayle now. Unless Ashley tells the new manager to sell before he can buy.

I think this could cause the Gayle transfer. Ashley supposedly said the transfer budget is 50 mill plus sales. Gayle wont play for them next season and so 70 million to spend sounds a lot more attractive.

I think Dwight Gayle will be sold either way, he is a great buy for anyone wants a player that will deliver next season, but he's not great for the long-term. Frankly, Newcastle should be looking to achieve the same result as last year (well above relegation and well below European qualification) with a younger squad that can improve. Dwight Gayle isn't improving and will never take them to Europe, but buying several Ryan Sessegnons might take them to Europa League in 3 to 5 years (£20m plus Gayle equals deal done).

[Fulhamfan666]

shame

[Art Vandelay]

They must be thrilled about this...


RANIERI EYES TOON ROLE

Former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has thrown his hat in the ring to take over from Rafa Benitez at Newcastle, Sky Sports News understands.

The Premier League title winner has been out of work since he left Roma at the end of the season, but would be keen for a return to England despite an unsuccessful stint at Fulham earlier this year.

We also understand former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Giovanni Van Bronckhorst is one of a number who has expressed an interest in the soon-to-be vacancy.

The 107-times capped Dutch midfielder recently left Feyenoord, where he led them to their first Erividisie title in 18 years two years ago.

We reported yesterday that one source told us Avram Grant was under consideration by Mike Ashley - however Newcastle club sources have told us that's not the case.

[Burt]

Latest Newcastle United manager odds:

Jose Mourinho 4/1

Claudio Ranieri 6/1

David Moyes 7/1

Mikel Arteta 9/1

Garry Monk 8/1

Giovanni van Bronckhurst 10/1

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Chris Hughton 10/1

Anthony Hudson 14/1