Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan. There is a feeling of déjà vu amongst Newcastle United fans at the moment, with a proposed £350 million takeover bid dominating the headlines.
The Bin Zayed Group – led by Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan – are adamant their bid is serious, but the current situation is one that is all to familiar to Newcastle supporters.
Amanda Staveley’s failure to meet Mike Ashley’s asking price earlier this year was a huge disappointment to fans who are desperate to see the back of the current owner.
Read on as we look at the latest state of play at Newcastle.
Sheikh Khaled insists group have provided proof of funds. (more…)
Wenger: Does he still have what it takes? Newcastle fans absolutely love Rafael Benitez, and there is nothing more they would love than for the former Liverpool manager to commit his future to the Magpies. Benitez’s current contract at St James’ Park runs out in the summer, and despite the Spaniard guiding the team to Premier League safety yet again, the club have yet to agree on new terms with him.
There is a very good chance that Benitez will sign on the dotted line and will continue his work at Newcastle, but latest speculation regarding former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger should put the minds of the St. James’ Park faithful at ease. If Benitez leaves, Wenger would not be a bad replacement at all. Wenger has been without a managerial job since his departure from Arsenal at the end of last season, and the Frenchman has been involved in football punditry throughout the campaign and is very much in touch with the game. (more…)
Rafa: Waving goodbye to the Toon? Whilst the first half of the season was looking like more ‘doom and gloom’ for the Toon, Rafa Benitez’s ability to (somehow) get Mike Ashley to dip into his back pocket during the transfer window has all but guaranteed another season in the Premier League.
Miguel Almiron became Newcastle’s record signing, signing from Atlanta United for a fee thought to be £21 million. He’s only featured seven times so far in the Premier League but looks set to be a star once he settles into life in England.
Although this particular signing has excited Newcastle fans, Benitez has remained frustrated with the lack of funds during his reign in charge. (more…)
Laurel and Hardy – The relegation specialists. The Premier League is not only the most popular football league on the planet, but it is also the most lucrative. With television rights and top-flight status offering millions of pounds on a yearly basis, every club wants to avoid relegation. But for a club like Newcastle it is vital to stay in the Premier League, Magpies fans cannot cope with more relegation heartache.
Let’s get one thing straight: Rafa Benitez is a top class football manager. The Spaniard has done a tremendous job with the tools at his disposal and Newcastle supporters recognise his efforts. Benitez is not, nor has he ever been the problem. If the Magpies go down it will be down to a lack of financial support from the club’s hierarchy. (more…)
A very rare shot of Benitez and Ashley together.As most fans will know, Rafa Benitez’s contract as Newcastle United’s manager will expire at the end of the season and so far, the omens do not look particularly good.
After a nightmare start to the season against pretty much the worst possible opposition (Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City in their first four games), the club are currently in the bottom three, and overall transfer spending is in minus figures, leaving Benitez with what is effectively a lower mid table squad. Indeed, according to transfer website Transfermarkt, there are only four teams in the Premier League with lower value squads than Newcastle (£157.23m), these are Bournemouth (£147.83m), Watford (£144.63), Huddersfield (£104.49m) and Cardiff (£84.83m), which almost makes them relegation battlers. Of course, Benitez showed his mettle last season by taking a squad which should have been hovering precariously above the bottom three to a highly creditable 10th in the Premier League. (more…)
