Topic: Newcastle - RIP Jamal Khashoggi; Free Salma al-Shehab

[DrTobiasFunke]

Well, he's massive favourite with the bookies. Can see some sort of clause being included that he can leave if they go down.

The fans will instantly warm to him if he keeps them up but not sure if Ashley knows what he's letting himself in for. Their last few managers have either been yes men or too inexperienced to speak out against an owner. We all know what Rafa's like with shite owners...

For such a poor quality league there could be an abundance of world class managers in England next season - Guardiola and Rafa coming in with Klopp and Ranieri already there.

[S]

For such a poor quality league there could be an abundance of world class managers in England next season - Guardiola and Rafa coming in with Klopp and Ranieri already there.

Mourinho (probably) too, as much as I don't like admitting it.

[tanvir]

Made me chuckle, anyway.

https://twitter.com/toonlowdown/status/708237489341861888/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

[Iska]

A ten-game contract with an option to continue for three years after that, was the talk.  I assume that's with a view to him taking charge immediately against Leicester, rather than building in an away at Rotherham to see how he fancies life in the Championship.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

https://twitter.com/RobScanlon_TV/status/708289069713850368

Looking good there..

[In the Name of Klopp]

Does this make Newcastle our second team? 

[Grobbelrevell]

Does this make Newcastle our second team? 

No.

[Samie]

Actually for some on here the Toon will be on par with Liverpool. Happened when Rafa was at the plastics. Some wanted them to do well.  Now I have nothing against Newcastle, my missus is a fan but remember same as Chelsea if Rafa does well so do they.  You can't hide behind "Oh I only want Rafa to do well.".

[Wyl]

Seems like pretty much a done deal

[damomad]

Would have to be getting a payday on par with Chelsea or Madeid to take that job. I do believe Newcastle as a club have potential to be challenging at the top end but not under Ashley. Does Rafa really just love stress?

Why can't he just take an easy job and enjoy life?

[Gnurglan]

Would have to be getting a payday on par with Chelsea or Madeid to take that job. I do believe Newcastle as a club have potential to be challenging at the top end but not under Ashley. Does Rafa really just love stress?

Why can't he just take an easy job and enjoy life?

I like Rafa and I hope he does well. But I've got to say he picks the wrong clubs to manage. From Real to Newcastle?

[Henry Chinaski]

I like Rafa and I hope he does well. But I've got to say he picks the wrong clubs to manage. From Real to Newcastle?

Maybe he wanted to get back to business asap and there were no other offers on the table.

[thisyearisouryear]

Man! Just went to their forum again - http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,97780.msg5915590.html
Their Rafa thread is exactly like our Klopp thread. Uncanny!

It reminded me of the incredulous frenzy on RAWK in the days leading to Klopp's appointment, which brings me to how fucking lucky are we to have Klopp! 

Anyway it seems pretty much done now - best of luck to Rafa (except when they come to anfield next month)

[thisyearisouryear]

Actually for some on here the Toon will be on par with Liverpool. Happened when Rafa was at the plastics. Some wanted them to do well.  Now I have nothing against Newcastle, my missus is a fan but remember same as Chelsea if Rafa does well so do they.  You can't hide behind "Oh I only want Rafa to do well.".

Tell me you are lying.

[pa]

Actually for some on here the Toon will be on par with Liverpool. Happened when Rafa was at the plastics. Some wanted them to do well.  Now I have nothing against Newcastle, my missus is a fan but remember same as Chelsea if Rafa does well so do they.  You can't hide behind "Oh I only want Rafa to do well.".

Totally agree.

[Kashinoda]

Man! Just went to their forum again - http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,97780.msg5915590.html
Their Rafa thread is exactly like our Klopp thread. Uncanny!

It reminded me of the incredulous frenzy on RAWK in the days leading to Klopp's appointment, which brings me to how fucking lucky are we to have Klopp! 

Anyway it seems pretty much done now - best of luck to Rafa (except when they come to anfield next month)

After the attitude of Villa fans this fills me with joy.

[Samie]

Tell me you are lying.

Not in such overt way, they weren't outright coming out with I WANT CHELSEA TO DO WELL. But their posting style and wording suggested they did.

[TheShanklyGates]

Best of luck to him. Would be sweet if he could keep Newcastle up at the expense of Fat Sam and Sunderland.

[Farman]

Officially appointed. Good luck Rafa.

[Swissgaz]

Rafa confirmed as NUFC Manager

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20160311/rafa-benitez-confirmed-as-newcastle-manager_2281670_5411873

Newcastle United is delighted to announce the appointment of Rafa Benitez as the Club's new manager.

Benitez joins United on an initial three-year deal.

The Club can also confirm the appointment of Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Pérez, who will join Ian Cathro and Simon Smith to form Benitez's coaching team.

Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black will part company with the club with immediate effect.

Speaking of his appointment, Rafa Benitez said: "I have the pleasure to confirm I have committed to a legendary English club, with the massive challenge of remaining part of the Premier League.

"It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the Club and the fans.

"All of us must push together in the same direction and with the same target in mind. This is the reason why I'm going to ask for your total support to successfully complete this task.

"Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can't be happier.

"C'mon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement!"

Managing Director Lee Charnley said: "I am very pleased to welcome Rafa Benitez to the club. In Rafa we have, without doubt, secured the services of one of Europe's top managers.

"He has managed some of the most successful teams at the very highest level of the game and we are proud to now have him as our manager.

"Our sole focus now is to give our full support to Rafa, his coaching team and the players in order to secure our status in the Premier League.

"I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black for their service to the Club."

[Kashinoda]

Not in such overt way, they weren't outright coming out with I WANT CHELSEA TO DO WELL. But their posting style and wording suggested they did.

Come on, that was a weird one with Rafa there. They were all (predictably) cuntish towards him from the get go and most of us (obviously) love the bloke. I'd go as far as to say some wanted him to do well in spite of everything to do with them.

[tubby]

Good luck, Rafa.  Reckon he could potentially do great things there (providing he keeps them up first).  Even with the passionate fanbase, it's not the same kind of pressure he was under at Real and they'll buy into him completely once he gets them motoring.

[Chakan]

Baffling but whatever.

Congrats to Newcastle.

[Petadroli]

hahahaahaha look at that gif:

http://i.imgur.com/j5NG4Gz.webm

Don't know how to embed webm's, sorry

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Is it fair to say that Newcastle have now a better manager than Man United?

[Garlicbread]

Good luck Rafa <3

[Gnurglan]

Maybe he wanted to get back to business asap and there were no other offers on the table.

Then maybe he should wait?
What surprises me is that Rafa the manager is systematic, yet when he picks clubs, he doesn't seem to make the same analysis.

What can you say about Ashley? Is that the type of person you can trust?
Where have they finished recently?

2015: 15th
2014: 10th
2013: 16th
2012: 5th

Currently, they're 19th! So not too impressive. It appears there's an awful lot to do, to fix them. I understand the challenge of the project, but this is something for an up and coming manager, not for someone who just got sacked from Real Madrid.

[Betty Blue]

Next season could well look like this -

Klopp at Liverpool
Pep at Man City
Rafa at Newcastle?
Mourinho at United?
Conte at Chelsea?
Wenger forever at Arsenal 

My first thought was don't do it, Rafa! But the more I think about it the more interesting a move it could be. Newcastle are a sleeping giant (or near enough). They have the potential to be one of the top sides and have underperfomed massively for a long period of time now. They have a strong fanbase, one of the biggest grounds in England, and an owner who - despite being a collossal twat - does have the money to back Rafa if he chooses. This season their spending is at £75m. Give that sum to Rafa and he will make them competitive.

Ultimately, Rafa misses his family and what other jobs are there in the Premier League which have that kind of potential. Liverpool - not going to happen with Klopp around. Spurs - very secure with Pochettino. Arsenal - only Wenger knows when Wenger will leave. Everton - errrrr no. United - even funnier. City - not for awhile you'd think. Chelsea - been there, experienced their shite 'fans'. Beyond that you have a selection of clubs with smaller fanbases, smaller grounds, less financial backing and little else to offer. In some twisted way this move does make sense.

[Carly]

Must be kicking himself he didnt take the West Ham job now.  This is a massive risk.

[PhilipG]

I like Rafa and I hope he does well. But I've got to say he picks the wrong clubs to manage. From Real to Newcastle?

...And then to Yernited, in the footsteps of his hero?

[ThePeetmix]

Then maybe he should wait?
What surprises me is that Rafa the manager is systematic, yet when he picks clubs, he doesn't seem to make the same analysis.

What can you say about Ashley? Is that the type of person you can trust?
Where have they finished recently?

2015: 15th
2014: 10th
2013: 16th
2012: 5th

Currently, they're 19th! So not too impressive. It appears there's an awful lot to do, to fix them. I understand the challenge of the project, but this is something for an up and coming manager, not for someone who just got sacked from Real Madrid.

If it was 2 months ago then I'd understand Rafa taking the job because it at least gave him time.

With 9 games to go, he's got an extremely hard task on his hands to get them going again. Sunderland at least have Defoe so they've got someone who can get them goals and win them games.

[Gnurglan]

Next season could well look like this -

Klopp at Liverpool
Pep at Man City
Rafa at Newcastle?
Mourinho at United?
Conte at Chelsea?
Wenger forever at Arsenal 

My first thought was don't do it, Rafa! But the more I think about it the more interesting a move it could be. Newcastle are a sleeping giant (or near enough). They have the potential to be one of the top sides and have underperfomed massively for a long period of time now. They have a strong fanbase, one of the biggest grounds in England, and an owner who - despite being a collossal twat - does have the money to back Rafa if he chooses. This season their spending is at £75m. Give that sum to Rafa and he will make them competitive.

Ultimately, Rafa misses his family and what other jobs are there in the Premier League which have that kind of potential. Liverpool - not going to happen with Klopp around. Spurs - very secure with Pochettino. Arsenal - only Wenger knows when Wenger will leave. Everton - errrrr no. United - even funnier. City - not for awhile you'd think. Chelsea - been there, experienced their shite 'fans'. Beyond that you have a selection of clubs with smaller fanbases, smaller grounds, less financial backing and little else to offer. In some twisted way this move does make sense.

I can see the logic in that. What I don't get is how he can choose to go there now.  Maybe in the summer, but not now. And in the summer, more jobs could be available. He shouldn't have to jump at anything to get a job. What's there to gain for him if he saves them? Not a great deal for Rafa. What's to lose if they get relegated? A lot.

[Statto Red]

After the attitude of Villa fans this fills me with joy.

 
Funnily enough Newcastle play Villa away penultimate weekend of the season, Villa will be relegated by then though, be to funny if Newcastle win that match to stay up.

[Chakan]

I would hazard a guess there's a relegation clause in his contract.

[mersey_paradiso]

Ugh - so wrong 

[Filler.]

For a minute there I thought they were holding up a pair of pants.

[benn25]

Cant see Rafa saving them to be honest. Hope he does well as they wont be bothering us much, but he's got a job on his hands to get the best out of the team with 10 games to go.

[Cracking Left Foot]

Good luck Rafa. Think he may need it working for that dickhead, but I hope he does well.

And if he helps to send Allardyce down, so much the better!

[Caston]

I would hazard a guess there's a relegation clause in his contract.

Definitely.

[mersey_paradiso]

For a minute there I thought they were holding up a pair of pants.