After Newcastle lost 3-1 at home to Bournemouth six days prior, the entire footballing world expected to Steve McClaren to be sacked.
No announcement came however as rumoured replacement’s names flew around Tyneside, the days dragged on as the club remained silent. Six days later the club finally announced the dismissal of Steve McClaren, and soon after, former Champion’s League winner Rafael Benitez was photographed, alongside his coaching staff entering St James’ Park.
The fans could not believe a manager of this calibre had arrived at one of their lowest points of the Ashley era. The club announced new Manager, not Head Coach later that day to stun the world. The club was 19th in the table with 24 points, and eight games to go.
northumbrian on
We wouldn’t be where we are today without this man ❤️
Basketball312 on
He was great. Can’t believe Ashley let him go.
Yellow--Calx on
Going from him to Bruce tested my love for football more than it ever had been before.
Joinupapp on
I still can’t believe he joined us then. Such an impact. Absolutely love him still. That final half season with Almiron Rondon Perez clicking was something. Then Ashley did what Ashley does. Dickhead.
DangerCheesecake on
Joined us when the battle was already lost and could’ve took a quick payday, stuck with us in the champ then took us top half first season back.
An absolute top manager in my lifetime, only behind Keegan, Sir Bobby & Howe and even then he had nowhere near the backing these did and achieved what he did with incompetence at the helm.
I will be forever grateful to Rafa.
dsmith1212 on
I remember almost being in genuine tears when it was announced he was leaving us then again when it was Steve Bruce replacing him!
It does put it in context a bit though that’s where we were an owner who lets a manger like Rafa adored by the fans leave and brings in a washed clown in! To now where we are going toe to toe with one of Europes elite clubs and only not winning in the very last second of the game
We will get there, we will be elite at that level one day!
someonehasmygamertag on
I’ll never get over how shit those Sports Direct logos looked. I’m not even that mad about the owner getting something out of it. I’m just mad at the shocking implementation.
10 Comments
ON THIS DAY 2016:
A shambolic week at Newcastle.
After Newcastle lost 3-1 at home to Bournemouth six days prior, the entire footballing world expected to Steve McClaren to be sacked.
No announcement came however as rumoured replacement’s names flew around Tyneside, the days dragged on as the club remained silent. Six days later the club finally announced the dismissal of Steve McClaren, and soon after, former Champion’s League winner Rafael Benitez was photographed, alongside his coaching staff entering St James’ Park.
The fans could not believe a manager of this calibre had arrived at one of their lowest points of the Ashley era. The club announced new Manager, not Head Coach later that day to stun the world. The club was 19th in the table with 24 points, and eight games to go.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without this man ❤️
He was great. Can’t believe Ashley let him go.
Going from him to Bruce tested my love for football more than it ever had been before.
I still can’t believe he joined us then. Such an impact. Absolutely love him still. That final half season with Almiron Rondon Perez clicking was something. Then Ashley did what Ashley does. Dickhead.
Joined us when the battle was already lost and could’ve took a quick payday, stuck with us in the champ then took us top half first season back.
An absolute top manager in my lifetime, only behind Keegan, Sir Bobby & Howe and even then he had nowhere near the backing these did and achieved what he did with incompetence at the helm.
I will be forever grateful to Rafa.
I remember almost being in genuine tears when it was announced he was leaving us then again when it was Steve Bruce replacing him!
It does put it in context a bit though that’s where we were an owner who lets a manger like Rafa adored by the fans leave and brings in a washed clown in! To now where we are going toe to toe with one of Europes elite clubs and only not winning in the very last second of the game
We will get there, we will be elite at that level one day!
I’ll never get over how shit those Sports Direct logos looked. I’m not even that mad about the owner getting something out of it. I’m just mad at the shocking implementation.
Rafa was a hero.
Now this is making me feel old
lovely man!