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Newcastle fans need an ultimatum between the club and Rafa

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on March 09, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on March 09, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) /
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The Toon Army have several questions, but no answers from Newcastle United and Rafa Benitez.  A deadline for these negotiations is necessary.

Since the start of the season, the main discussion surrounding Newcastle United has been centered on Rafa Benitez’s contract. With the Spaniard’s contract set to expire this summer, the Toon Army have every right to be anxious now that two games are left on the schedule. Benitez has done an amazing job as the manager of this club by earning immediate promotion back to the Premier League two years ago, earning a top ten finish last season and comfortably avoiding relegation this season.

The majority of fans and Newcastle players want the former Champions League winner to sign a new contract, but Benitez does have valid concerns. Benitez is asking for the club to meet three general demands he has set forth before putting pen to paper.

Firstly, Benitez wants to see the club provide him with more money during transfer windows in order to strengthen the club to fight for a spot in the top eight. Secondly, he would like to see Newcastle invest some money in the club’s training ground. His final request is for the club to invest in the academy to help develop more young talent like Sean Longstaff.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Fans display banners of Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Fans display banners of Rafael Benitez, Manager of Newcastle United. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

As a Newcastle supporter, I hope Mike Ashley decides to meet these demands for the sake of keeping Benitez on the sidelines of St. James’ Park for a few more years. However, I think it is fair to say that supporters like myself have also had enough of this uncertainty and silence. An ultimatum is needed.

Time For A Deadline

The fans deserve some answers and the club needs to sort things out over the next few weeks in order to develop a plan for the future, beginning with the summer transfer window. This contract standoff involves Mike Ashley, Lee Charnley and Rafa Benitez, but it is the fans and the club that take a major hit as a result of this delay.

Next. Benitez fires clear warning to Ashley. dark

Ashley and his front office need to determine whether or not they will meet Benitez’s demands and Benitez needs to give the club a hard deadline for agreeing to his terms. It would be great if the club meets his demands and he signs a new contract at the end of the season, but, at the same time, if Benitez decides to walk, the club can at least implement Plan B by hiring a new manager and target players on their transfer list. The longer this contract dilemma drags on, the worse off Newcastle will be this summer.