Rafael Benitez je večeras potpisao novi trogodišnji ugovor sa Newcastle United-om. Samim tim, iz ugovora je izbrisana klauzula u kojoj se raskida ugovor u slučaju ispadanja iz Premier League.

Newcastle United je nažalost ispao iz Premier League, ali je uprava kluba, pre svih dvojac Mike Ashley i Lee Charlney uvideo da je jedina prava opcija za klupu Newcastle United-a u Championshipu upravo Rafael Benitez. Njih dvojica su videli da iza Beniteza stoji i armija crno-belih navijača, koja je Špancu pružala podršku tokom svih 90 minuta utakmice, kada je demoliran Tottenham.

Kako je Benitez na konferenciji za mediji i rekao, upravo su navijači i odigrali ključnu ulogu u njegovoj odluci da ostane na klupi Newcastle United-a


Rafael Benitez:

"The first thing was for me is the fans, the stature of the Club and the future. So I have seen all of these things together.

"I said in my press conference that I came here because of that and I could see these things every day and especially the last game.

"There were a lot of positive things here from day one. Also my family is in England and I wanted to stay here, so everything together means that I'm really pleased and happy to be here.

"From day one, my relationship with Lee Charnley has been really good. I'm very pleased working with him.

"When I was asking for something they were trying to give me what I wanted and in this case when we were talking about the future they were quite positive.

"The main thing for me is that I have assurances that we will have a strong team - a winning team. If I am here again, I would say it's because I am convinced we can go up next season.

"I needed a new challenge and a new project. I can see the possibilities and the size of the club. It's massive....and I want to be part of that.

"I am convinced we can go up next season, we can stay up and win trophies.

"If I don't want to sell any players I don't need to sell any players.

"We have to start working - when I finish this press conference, I will start working.

"The fans have been a major factor in my decision."


Club statement:

Newcastle United are delighted to confirm that Rafa Benitez will remain as Newcastle United manager, after signing a new initial three-year contract.

On Wednesday afternoon the Spaniard put pen to paper on the deal which will keep him on Tyneside until at least the summer of 2019.

Benitez will have day-to-day responsibility for all football-related matters at the club.

The 56-year-old joined the Magpies in March, taking charge of the team for the final ten games of the 2015/16 season.

Despite the club's eventual relegation, he led United to three victories and a six-game unbeaten run, which culminated in a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season.

Benitez said: "I am extremely pleased to be staying at Newcastle United.

"The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence for me in my decision to stay, as was my relationship with Lee Charnley and all the staff.

"This is a huge club and I wanted to be part of the great future I can see for Newcastle United."

Managing director Lee Charnley added: "When we brought Rafa to the club in March, we knew he was a phenomenal manager and everything we have seen from him since has only served to reinforce that.

"We are therefore delighted to have secured his services for the next three years and I believe with Rafa as manager it gives us the best possible chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking and delivering success for this football club beyond that.

"It is clear that Rafa has connected deeply with the club's supporters and we do not underestimate the role they have played in his decision to stay.

"He has captured the hearts and minds not just of the fans, but of everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him at the club thus far.

"As a world-class manager we had no doubt in our minds as to the importance of retaining him at Newcastle United."

A further announcement regarding Benitez's coaching staff will be made in due course.

photo: dailymail

NEWCASTLE UNITED  -  TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR  5 : 1

photo: dailymail

How did talks on Thursday with Lee Charnley go?

"Fine. We have a good relationship and he's professional and I am professional.... and we were analysing things that were wrong and things that we could do in a different way....so quite positive.

Have you come to a decision about your future?

"No, not really. What we said in this meeting is we will have more meetings. So, again it was very positive in terms of the things that we were discussing.

"I can say to the fans that we will continue so obviously if I decide to come here it’s because I knew that was a massive club with massive support from the fans.

"That was my impression when I came and I'm really flattered with the fans because it has been amazing.

"I know they can be even more positive in the future but at the moment we have to be sure that we  prepare the game for tomorrow properly and after we will try to do the best for everyone: for me, for the club, for the fans, for everyone here.

Is this a big decision for you?

"Obviously. I am professional and I have been in this business for a while no? I am the kind of manager that has achieved what I have achieved working very hard. I was not a famous star as a player so I needed to work very hard.

"I have experienced two promotions with different clubs in Spain and I have experienced being relegated too....so I can understand that there are some people who say 'no he cannot stay', some people say 'he will do it'.

"That is a situation where we have to be calm, we have to be sure. What I want is the same as the fans want. We want a successful team, we want a strong team to be promoted to the Premier League again as soon as possible and that is the situation now.

"We have to talk, we will have more meetings and then we will see what happens. But if I am here and I am discussing these things, because obviously in my head it's a chance, it's a good chance and we have to keep talking.

What sort of assurances would you be looking for?

"I say before, it's like the fans - a strong team capable of being promoted quickly and to compete at the maximum level.

"It's not a question of money, it's a question of if we have a structure that can allow the club in the next year and in the future years to be strong and competing in the Premier League hopefully.

"I am happy to discuss all these things.....at the moment I am really pleased with the first conversation. I am really pleased with the people here - so the staff, players, directors - everyone here since I came has been fantastic.

"I cannot say other things, than I want to be sure that if everything is fine. It has to be fine for me, but also for the club, for the fans, for everyone.

When do you expect to come to a decision?

"It's difficult to say, it depends on the conversation but I think that a couple of weeks could be a decent time.

"In the meantime obviously we have a responsibility and we have been even working preparing the pre season and leaving everything ready for the next year.

"So we cannot say yes and then not have time to move things in a professional way. So we are working as professionals and we are talking and I think that a couple of weeks maximum and we will have an idea."

photo: nufc.co.uk

Sunderland je večeras pobedio Everton rezultatom 3:0, što mu je bilo dovoljno da osigura Premijerligaški status.

Sa druge strane, poslao je Newcastle United i Norwich City u Championship. Aston Villa je ispala davnih dana.

Ako pak, Rafael Benitez odluči da ostane na klupi Newcastle United-a, imaćemo kakvu-takvu nadu u brz povratak u Premier League.

Ako Benitez ode, tumaraćemo nižim ligama najmanje petnaestak godina.

Međutim, nadamo se, da će se tada šljam i talog i od uprave i od igrača pročistiti i da će za klub igrati igrači kojima je stalo da nose crno-beli dres i koji će više voleti grb na grudima nego ime na leđima.

Toon Toon!!!. 

photo: chronicle