Wonder if Merson called Rafa today?
Rafa Benitez could not manage in the Championship, says Paul MersonSean Lunt @Sean_Lunt
1 year ago
Newcastle United look destined for relegation from the Premier League this season.
Rafa Benitez would not be able to manage in the Championship at Newcastle United, Paul Merson has told Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.
The Magpies are currently 19th in the table and six points from safety following Saturday’s loss to Southampton.
At this moment in time it is looking like they will be relegated as a result, with their performances not improving enough to suggest a late survival bid is on the cards.
If they do suffer relegation, there is a huge question mark over whether Benitez will stay in the job long term, with it widely known he has a break clause in his current deal.
Merson though, says that he should leave anyway as he wouldn’t be able to manager in the Championship anyway.
“He wouldn’t be able to do a job in the Championship,” he told Soccer Saturday.
“For how good he is and the reputation he’s got, and he’s great at setting teams up not to lose, he couldn’t manage in the Championship.
“He’d have to find a different quality of player than what he’s been working with all his career and look at players who wouldn’t get in any of his teams he’s been manager of.”
Merson’s point is certainly a prevalent one, with Benitez only having experience of competing at the top end of the table.
Indeed, that was something that was brought up as a concern when he was first appointed and so far has proved to be a justified one.
In that regard, perhaps they should look for a clean start and hire a man who has experience in the Championship, and more importantly, of signing players who can compete at that level for the team.
