Would Rafa Benitez leave Newcastle United for Arsenal?
By Durim Halimi
Many Arsenal fans are hoping for Arsene Wenger’s departure from the club. It is unclear if he will be sacked, but one of the top candidates would certainly be Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez.
Sitting in sixth place with ten losses on the season, Arsenal are eight points behind Chelsea in fifth and 33 points behind league leaders Manchester City. Arsene Wenger has managed Arsenal since 1996 and the Gunners have maintained their top-six status under his reign. However, the problem is that Arsenal have always been on the outside looking in regarding the title race.
With such financial prominence and a roster comprised of abundant talent, Arsenal should be a fearful side. Instead, the Gunners are merely annual participants in the Premier League rather than title contenders.
Several media outlets have covered Arsenal’s poor form this season, and many pundits and Arsenal fans have called for Wenger’s resignation. Of course, there are also Wenger apologists, but their voices are fading with each passing day.
If Wenger resigns or gets sacked, several managers would be top candidates for his position. One of them, in my opinion, would be Rafa Benitez of Newcastle United. The Spaniard has won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013, and has managed notable squads such as Inter Milan, Napoli and Real Madrid.
In addition, Benitez took a relegated Newcastle side back to the Premier League in one season. It would be difficult for Arsenal to ignore such an impressive managerial track record. If contacted by Arsenal, would Benitez leave Newcastle United for Arsenal?
Reasons Why Benitez Would Leave
Champions League Football
The top tournament for any European club is, without a doubt, the UEFA Champions League. Being crowned the kings of Europe is a remarkable achievement, but the task is extremely difficult. In 2005, Benitez was fortunate to win this title with Liverpool and he elevated his status among the world’s elite managers.
With Newcastle United, Benitez has a long way to go in terms of his side even qualifying for the Champions League. His main objective with the club this season is to avoid relegation, and the gradual goal is to transform Newcastle United into a top-six contender.
Benitez has expressed his loyalty to Newcastle’s cause, but it would be a lie to state that he does not miss managing a team in the Champions League.
Mike Ashley
Is this even worth further explanation? Mike Ashley is one of the worst club owners in England and the worst club owner in the Premier League. Rafa Benitez has a clear vision for Newcastle United, but lacks the financial backing to see those plans through. Ashley would be the biggest push factor for Benitez’s departure if Arsenal expressed interest in him as Wenger’s replacement.
Reasons Why Benitez Would Stay
Toon Army
This one is simple. Benitez would never find such a loyal and vocal group of supporters anywhere else. The Toon Army have supported the club through bright and dark times this season, especially in away matches. Newcastle supporters have done their best to remind Benitez how much he means to the club and the manager has publicly stated his appreciation multiple times.
Club Potential
Newcastle are far from being a Premier League powerhouse, but the potential to build a competitive squad is there. Benitez knows he needs transfers to add more quality to his side and with new talent he can certainly emulate the success of the Entertainers in the 1990s.
Benitez has some young talent on his current roster, but the ultimate goal is to build a team around Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey. The future can be a promising one under Benitez as long as the Magpies avoid relegation this year.
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With the Rafalution currently in progress, Benitez does not want to leave his job unfinished. He has completed phase one of the Rafalution (earning promotion) and is now seeking to complete phase two (avoiding relegation). The key objective is the club’s gradual ascension from being a bottom-half side to a competitive top-half club.