Newcastle have been in solid form since January, and the impact of this success can be seen in the league table and in the front office.
Rafa Benitez has rescued Newcastle United for the second straight season. Last season, Benitez saved the reputation and integrity of the club by earning immediate promotion to the Premier League. This season, the tactical expert helped Newcastle avoid relegation and is pushing his team to fight for a top-half finish.
Benitez’s ability to instill a sense of composure and confidence among his players is what turned this season around. A key factor that has hindered the club’s success in the early months of the campaign is Mike Ashley. By abruptly ending takeover negotiations and not spending money in the January transfer window, Ashley has taken some major heat.
However, it seems as though Benitez has saved the club’s irresponsible owner upon the conclusion of the 2017/18 campaign. Here is how Newcastle’s manager saved the club and Mike Ashley.
Newcastle United
Benitez will not say it publicly, but Newcastle United have secured their top-flight status for the 2018/19 campaign. The magic number for survival has usually been 40 points, but the bottom three were much weaker this season. If Newcastle barely escaped relegation, this season would be nothing more than a sigh of relief.
The fact that Benitez’s men have left the relegation battle behind and are fighting for a top-ten finish changes the future outlook of the club. Aside from Mike Ashley’s fiscal demands not being met, investors were hesitant to purchase Newcastle due to the uncertainty of where they would finish in the table.
Now that the Magpies are in the clear and playing with confidence, investors will be lining up at the door to transform this club into a true contender. However, this success all leads back to Rafa Benitez, as he developed his players and made them utilize their full potential each week.
In other words, the fact that Newcastle have exceeded expectations this season means the list of prospective buyers will be ready to spend big. Had Newcastle finished 17th, maybe an investor would come along and spend just enough to keep the Magpies in the top tier. Whereas a top-ten finish will surely attract investors who will seek long-term success on Tyneside.
Mike Ashley
As a result of Newcastle’s solid form in 2018, Mike Ashley’s days as the club’s owner are most likely numbered. It is true that Ashley had the opportunity to sell the club to Amanda Staveley and her partners, but the offer fell significantly short of the asking price.
Now that Newcastle are climbing the table and staying in the Premier League, Ashley can expect offers much closer to his asking price. For supporters, the current situation can be described as a double-edged sword.
On one end, Newcastle’s success has turned the club into an attractive investment, which leads to Ashley’s departure. On the opposite end, the owner who ruined the club and experienced relegation twice in ten years will become even wealthier.
Reports have been published claiming that takeover negotiations have sprung up once again, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the near future. For now, Benitez will focus on his players and ensure that they are ready to compete in the final stretch of the season.
Next: Ten intriguing summer free agents in 2018
Relegation is out of the picture for now, but if Benitez truly wants a war chest of funds from a new owner, his men must continue to perform.