Newcastle star Matt Ritchie has stressed the importance of Rafael Benitez staying at the club beyond this season.
Benitez has transformed the fortunes of the Magpies this season after a dreadful start, but uncertainty surrounds his future on Tyneside.
Reports suggest the Spaniard is stalling on a new contract and could walk away from St James’ Park at the end of the season.
Ritchie, who has starred in a newly-found wing-back role, believes the club will struggle to find someone who stays so calm under pressure, particularly with everything going on off the pitch.
3
Ritchie heaped praise on Benitez
“He’s very good,†the Scot told talkSPORT.
“It’s massive that he does stay now, especially at the moment with the unrest among the fans.
“There’s no better man for the club. He’s seen everything.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
“He’s been everywhere in football. He’s seen the highs and lows and he doesn’t ride with them.
“He’s always in the same mood. That spreads throughout the whole team and the whole club.
“We started really poorly this season and not once did the manager panic.â€
3
Matt Ritchie salvaged a point for Newcastle on Saturday
Newcastle’s season has once again been riddled with fans protesting against the ownership of Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley.
And Ritchie admits the unrest has affected the team’s performances.
“I understand the frustrations but, at the same time, it did start to affect the atmosphere around the stadium,” he added.
LIVE on talkSPORT
There are eight live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...
- Germany vs Serbia (Wednesday) – talkSPORT 2
- Kazakhstan vs Scotland (Thursday) – talkSPORT 2
- England vs Czech Republic (Friday) – talkSPORT
- Walsall vs Barnsley (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- San Marino vs Scotland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
- Netherlands vs Germany (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
“That’s no criticism towards the fans because they’ve been fantastic and I understand the unrest. But support is what the team needs.â€
Ritchie earned a vital point for Newcastle against his former club Bournemouth on Saturday after striking at the death.
The Scotland international helped the Cherries gain promotion to the Premier League in 2015 and turned heads by swapping the top-flight club for the Magpies, who were in the Championship when he completed his move in 2016.
3
He admits that while it was the toughest decision of his life, he couldn’t be happier with the way it’s all panned out,” he continued.
“It was pleasing to get the goal but it was a strange feeling after playing for Bournemouth and returning and scoring.
“It was the biggest decision of my life. At the time, I’d been at Bournemouth for four special years.
“From the minute I arrived there – the people, the manager, the players, we had such a special thing there. When I look back now, I look back with such fond memories.
“I thought it was a time when I needed a new challenge. Luckily enough we got promoted and it’s gone to plan.â€
Arsenal news : Arsenal fans go CRAZY as Unai Emery identifies Aaron Ramsey replacement for £13m Arsenal news : Arsenal believe David Alaba and Umtiti The three players Unai Emery must
Arsenal fans in MELTDOWN over David Alaba: Gunners supporters
Tottenham vs West Ham: TV channel and live stream details, kick-off time, talkSPORT coverage and more. you can stream it on Now TV - day passes are available for £8.99 if you don't
Tottenham vs West Ham: TV channel, live stream, kick-off time
May 23, 2019 · Emiliano Sala did not want to join Cardiff City, a haunting voice message from the striker has revealed. The Argentinian confided in a friend his doubts over the deal two weeks before he was
Emiliano Sala did NOT want to join Cardiff City
Vincent Kompany: Five player-managers who prove Manchester City captain has a very difficult task ahead fpnews May 23, 2019 0 Vincent Kompany has announced he will leave Manchester City to become a player-manager at his former club Anderlecht.
Vincent Kompany: Five player-managers who prove Manchester
Key men hand Brendan Rodgers five-star fitness boost ahead of Celtic's busy festive period Brendan Rodgers and Celtic have been dealing with a raft of injuries recently
Celtic star admits he cannot get enough of Rangers | Daily
fears for mo The Brazil international missed the 3-2 win over Newcastle Mohamed Salah appeared to be out cold during Liverpool's dramatic 3-2 victory over
Watch the moment angry mob of Cardiff fans chase Liverpool
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has revealed the slightly surprising figure who is the clown of the Chelsea dressing room. Loftus-Cheek has enjoyed regular first-team action with the Blues this season after spending the 2017/18 campaign on loan at Crystal Palace.
European football: Der Klassiker and Barcelona v Atletico
Premier League Preview Show podcast on demand - The Premier League is the best league in the world, and this is the best preview show in the world. Team news, facts and stats, and expert analysis from big name former Premier League players - it's everything you need to know ahead of the weekend's
Man City's historic albeit dull quadruple quest continues
David Moyes has revealed Manchester United had a helicopter ready to bring Gareth Bale to Old Trafford as they attempted to secure him ahead of Real Madrid in 2013. The Scot was appointed as United manager following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, but lasted just 10 months in the job before being sacked with the club eventually slumping to
David Moyes reveals Man Utd came so close to signing Gareth
- The former Everton and Man United star said it will be a nightmare for him and rival fans - Liverpool are ahead of Manchester City with two points with City having a game to play. Wayne Rooney has opened up on why he can not live with the fact that Liverpool should emerge Premier League champions this season.
Wayne Rooney hits out at Man United stars and insists they
Chelsea fans publicly called for Maurizio Sarri to be sacked during their 2-1 win at Cardiff on Sunday. The Blues trailed 1-0 for most of the second half, however late headers from Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek stole the points for the visitors.
Chelsea Fans Sing 'We Want Sarri Out' During Woeful 2-1 Win
Hot on Tottenham's transfer radar is Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt, but what is the likelihood he'll join the North London club, and would he fit into Mauricio Pochettino's plans? Sought after by Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Spurs, the 23-year-old German is garnering special attention from many top European clubs
What Bundesliga ace Julian Brandt has said about his future
Red Devils to battle Arsenal and Chelsea for Premier League superstar, United suffer blow in attacker chase and more Manchester United transfer news - 11th May 2019
Ander Herrera confirms Manchester United exit in tribute
Ajax appoint Utrecht boss Erik ten Hag as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Ten Hag will take over a team which has already crashed out of the Champions League and Europa League
0 comments:
Post a Comment