Speaking to Spanish news outlet AS, former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has hinted that a sale of the club ‘could have occurred‘ during his time on Tyneside, prompting many supporters to discuss the revelation surrounding Mike Ashley’s continued ownership on social media.
Benitez, who guided the Magpies to a 13th-place finish last season despite limited resources, left the club last summer to manage Dalian Yifang following a reported ‘lack of trust‘ between himself and the board. The Spaniard has hinted that, while Ashley could have sold the club during his tenure, Newcastle also did not ‘want to grow‘ in terms of investment, with that being the main reason why he moved on to the Chinese Super League.
Takeover talk has since progressed after the Wall Street Journal revealed that Prince Mohammed bin Salman was interested in a £340m buy back in January. However, after a month of no ‘concrete‘ bids, Magpies supporters could be losing hope.
In response to Benitez’s revelation, these Magpies fans have been in full discussion – find all of their best comments down below.
He had a chance to sell but it was all a big ploy to try and get rafa to stay, now it is just peddled every transfer window to cover over no quality signings or money getting spent, and also gives the media something to write
— toonidd (@toonidd) February 26, 2020
— Rafa Facts (@FactsRafa) February 26, 2020
Not gonna sell his cashcow
— lenny noble (@lennynoble20) February 26, 2020
The annual fake over!
— egroeg waldial (@Waldial) February 27, 2020
👍👍👍 pic.twitter.com/y7oJaj8EN8
— John (@JohnHun36737685) February 26, 2020
Wish he would just bugger off, it’s like a jilted lover like the obsessed who cant accepted they’ve been jilted and conned by him too.
— Gallowgate Ender 65 (@toonarmyNE29) February 26, 2020
Was Rafael Benitez right to leave Tyneside? Join the discussion by commenting below…
