‘Realistic’ Rafa discusses ‘managing expectations’
“You have to have ambition, but you have to be realistic.” Rafa won’t change…
Rafael Benitez
Big Weekend: Tottenham, Ozil, Man United, Old Firm
Crunch time for Mourinho and Man United, but big too for Spurs, Ozil and Benitez…
Newcastle icon nails it on Benitez, Ashley and supporters
Let’s consider Steve Howey as the Newcastle antidote to the usual b*llocks from Keys, Gray, Wise et al.
Are Mourinho and Benitez now yesterday’s managers?
Things move on, times change. What if football is just different now, and what they did doesn’t work?
Rafa: Why Newcastle’s trophy drought will likely continue
Rafael Benitez wants to find the “balance” between using his squad, “being ambitious” and surviving.
Mails: Mourinho doesn’t deserve this grief…
And that’s coming from a Liverpool fan. Also: Carra proved wrong, and Rafa is one of the dinosaurs…
Benitez offers measured response to Redknapp, Souness
Rafael Benitez says that he doesn’t agree “with some of these comments”. There’s a shocker.
Mails: Rafa Benitez should be embarrassed…
The Mailbox isn’t having Newcastle’s tactics against Chelsea. Also: Kompany, VAR and dinosaurs…
Sarri: ‘I have to say thank you to Rafa…’
Maurizio Sarri appreciates the foundations laid for his success at Napoli by Rafael Benitez…
Rafa reckons three teams can win the title…
Benitez picks two of his former sides. Another three “have to go back to things they were doing well”…
Benitez disappointed with ‘very strange game’
“We put ourselves under pressure and made too many mistakes,” admits Rafa…
F365 Says: Newcastle players hiding in Ashley’s shadow
One of Rafa’s players displayed a wretchedness for the ages. Too many others seemed quite content to cruise…
F365’s early loser: Newcastle, Rafa and wasted opportunities
Missed chances cost Newcastle a deserved draw against Spurs. It’s a common theme at St James’ Park…
Big Weekend: Arsenal, Man City, Sanchez, Benitez, Liverpool
The new Premier League season is actually bloody here. Rejoice and give thanks…
Benitez ‘seething’ as Newcastle fail to sign Liverpool CB
Things are so bad at Newcastle that Rafael Benitez is ‘seething’ at an inability to sign Ragnar Klavan.
Rafa ‘not happy’ over Newcastle’s lack of ambition
Rafa Benitez reckons Newcastle could have pushed on this season. Now, “it’s not the case”…
Allardyce believes Benitez is playing with fire at Newcastle
“Doing that as a manager in today’s world is extremely dangerous.”
Benitez asks publicly for transfer funds as Mitrovic leaves
“I don’t control the accounts but if you do the maths we have enough money.”
Newcastle: The club where tomorrow never comes
No money to spend freely, few new faces and a frustrated manager. We’ve been here before…
Spain sounded out Benitez for World Cup role
Spain asked about taking Rafa Benitez on loan from Newcastle to lead their World Cup campaign…
‘Wheeling and dealing is the Newcastle way’ – Rafa
“It’s normal for us now to be like that…. as soon as the price goes high, I know we can’t buy them.”
Rafa ‘really pleased’ as Kenedy rejoins Newcastle
Kenedy has vowed to repay the Toon Army after returning to Newcastle. Rafa wants the same again…
Gossip: Yet another defender linked with Man United
Vrsaljko to Manchester United, Papastathopoulos to Arsenal, Rafa to West Ham?
Newcastle owner pledges ‘every penny generated’ to Benitez
Mike Ashley – who says he is portrayed as “a pantomime villain” – says Benitez can have all the money.
Premier League 2017/18: The Winners
It’s here. Have your first instalment of a massive season-ending Winners and Losers…
Klopp picks his Manager of the Year from five candidates
Jurgen Klopp jokes that “I’m pretty close” when asked who is Premier League Manager of the Season.
Shelvey talks up the ‘most important signing of the summer’
Shelvey says keeping Rafa would be Newcastle’s “most important signing of the summer”. And he’s right.
Benitez: Newcastle may have to break club-record fee
Michael Owen, signed in 2005, remains Newcastle’s most expensive player. That might have to change.
Klopp, Pochettino, Benitez and more have say on Gerrard
Benitez is “available” for a chat. Pochettino hopes to face him one day. Allardyce wishes him luck.
Benitez explains why banned loanee is staying at Newcastle
Islam Slimani is banned for the final three games of his Newcastle loan, but he’s staying until the end.