Retaining this veteran Spaniard is more important now for Newcastle than signing new players – agreed?

Why retaining Rafa Benitez is more important for Newcastle now than signing new players

Newcastle United are safe in the Premier League for another season after breaching the 40-point mark last month. Rafael Benitez has done an excellent job and the fact that he has guided Newcastle to the top 10 with a shoestring budget has purely enhanced his reputation in the managerial circuit.

Doubts persist on whether Benitez will stay on Tyneside after enduring three disappointing transfer windows. Mike Ashley had assured Benitez that he will be given every penny to spend after securing promotion last year but the owner has failed to honour his words. However, Benitez has masterminded the Magpies to safety this season.

Benitez’s current deal runs out at the end of next season but he won’t find it difficult to land a job at a top club due to the reputation he has built over the years. So it becomes absolutely crucial for the Newcastle board to secure Benitez’s future before planning anything else.

Despite failing to get substantial funds to spend in transfer windows, the Spaniard didn’t desert the ship when it was sinking midway through the season. He is a top-class manager who has brought a sense of unity and commitment in his players by preparing them to fight until the blow of the final whistle.

That’s what Benitez is all about. His style of play isn’t expansive but he knows to get the best out of his players to complete the job. With a paltry budget and decent quality of players, he has once again surpassed the expectations.

Benitez has just a year more to run on his contract and would want assurances from the board in terms of spending before extending his deal. When Swansea, Brighton and Palace were breaking their banks in January, the 58-year-old was left with nothing but scramble around getting players on loan.

There is still a lot of work to be done as Benitez hopes to make further progress with Newcastle next season. The fans have fallen in love with his desire and commitment to work every single day to improve the team.

Benitez has hinted that he wants to stay at Newcastle next season but it all depends on the board now. The Magpies just cannot afford to let go of an astute manager like Benitez, who has delivered brilliantly since taking charge of the Tyneside club.

That said, the Newcastle board must do everything possible to retain Benitez for the long-term. Newcastle should be bigger and better with the Spaniard at the helm.