Rafa Not Happy!

Last updated : 11 August 2017 By Footy Mad - Editor

Rafa Benitez is far from a happy man on Tyneside this summer.

Image result for Newcastle UnitedThe former Real Madrid man has brought Newcastle back to the promise land of the Premier League at the first time of asking, but chairman Mike Ashley appears to have gone back on several promises regarding transfers.

While the Magpies have brought in five signings in the shape of Jacob Murphy, Javier Manquillo, Mike Merino, Christian Atsu and Florian Lejeune, the Spaniard has not had the £100 million war chest he was promised.

With many pundits suggesting that Newcastle will be amongst the favourites to go straight back down, a manager of Benitez's stature will only risk so much before he walks away.

His days as Napoli, Chelsea and Real boss must have been much smoother, but none better than his days on Merseyside with Liverpool.

Benitez was the mastermind behind the Miracle in Istanbul back in 2005 where Liverpool would win the Champions League and he has been fondly remembered by the club ever since.

The Magpies boss recently confessed that Steven Gerrard was the best player he ever coached - a list that includes John Terry, Frank Lampard and Cristiano Ronaldo - and Gerrard, now Liverpool under-18 coach and BT Sports pundit gave him a compliment right back:

There is no doubt that Gerrard enjoyed his best years under Benitez and it obviously proved that the tandem brought out the best in each other.

He followed up the Champions League winning season with 23 goals in all competitions the following season and flourished playing behind years after.

However, Gerrard is a manager himself these days and speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the legendary Merseysider proclaimed how important his new role is to him.

“I want to win and so do my coaching staff and my players,” he said.

“They are at the wrong place if they don’t want that. Liverpool is about winning.

“Of course the bigger picture and the main responsibility is to get players on to the conveyor belt. You need to get them up to Critch and Critch needs to get them up to Jurgen.

“We’re totally aware of the priorities here but at the same time you need to create values and habits within footballers themselves."