Newcastle United revealed on Monday that Rafa Benitez officially parted ways after failing to agree a new deal with the club hierarchy.
The manager who was responsible for bringing the club back to the Premier League and establishing themselves as a Premier League regular is no longer part of the club.
Conflicts of interest with club owner Mike Ashley have finally taken the toll and Benitez has had enough. As of 30th June, he will be a free agent.
With the talks of a potential takeover by the Bin Zayed Group making no improvements, the fans are visibly frustrated.
They have lost a coach who has brought nothing but positives to the club. Mike Ashley has undergone a lot of scrutiny during the past years and this seems to be the final straw.
Some of the fans are planning to boycott the club and return their tickets in a bid to prevent Mike Ashley from making more money off of them (Talksport).
Ashley has been running the club with intention that the club that must look after itself financially. Benitez was unhappy that he was going to be given just £60m plus money raised from sales.
The Toon Army have responded with anger and do no understand how Mike Ashley could let Benitez go. With the new season around 7 weeks away, the club currently do not have a manager and a coaching staff. Truly testing times at Newcastle United.
Despite the unreasonable move from the owner, fans have not forgotten to pay their tribute to the Spaniard.
“Rafa You’ll Always Be A Geordie”
A sports bar in Newcastle has commemorated Rafa’s tenure with a beautiful sign on their entrance. The message is clear, the fans want Benitez to know that he was truly adored and loved.