, 20 tweets, 10 min read Read on Twitter
My final thoughts on Rafa Benitez at #NUFC:

(THREAD)

1/18
In 2015, Mike Ashley appointed Steve McClaren the manager of #NUFC.

He handed him over £80m in incoming transfers.

However, the first-team squad was an utter disaster.

Did you realize that Coloccini, Colback, and Gabriel Obertan started the first match of that season?

2/18
After a predictably horrendous start to the season, #NUFC were desperate to avoid relegation.

Desperation is when Mike Ashley acts.

He hired the greatest manager Tyneside had seen since Sir Bobby.

Rafa was brought in as Ashley's fixer.

3/18
While Benitez couldn't achieve the nearly impossible task of survival, it was clear to everyone he was #NUFC's best chance of immediate promotion.

Promotion obviously was the #1 goal for Mike Ashley, so paying Rafa to stay was an easy decision.

4/18
Predictably, Benitez navigated #NUFC to automatic promotion.

But in achieving the bounce-back to the Premier League, Mike Ashley did something he didn't envision.

He appointed a man that sparked a fire in the hearts of supporters.

Rafa taught them to dream again.

5/18
For the next two years, Mike Ashley had to deal with an impossible conundrum for him and the way he runs his businesses:

On the one hand, Rafa Benitez was the greatest asset he could have; a world class manager like he could almost guarantee safety by himself.

6/18
Yet, on the other hand, Benitez wanted more.

He reminded the supporters that this club can be more.

He said things like Keegan and Robson; he saw the true potential of #NUFC, and *wasn't satisfied* with simply surviving.

7/18
This flies in the face of everything for which Mike Ashley stands.

Profit-earning, low-maintenance, security is what he wanted out of #NUFC.

Rafa wanted Europe, and potentially more.

8/18
Over these two years, the political chess match wore on.

Benitez wanted investment; he had to sell to buy.

Benitez wanted assurances; he did not have contact with Ashley.

And with #NUFC supporters, their loyalty to Rafa only grew stronger.

9/18
The situation finally came to an impasse this summer.

Ashley was never going to give Rafa the assurances he desired, and Benitez was all but forced to move on.

Support for a regime change was never stronger. The farce that is Mike Ashley was on full display.

10/18
Boycotts planned, season tickets cancelled, @nufctrust lifetime memberships skyrocketed.

Ayoze was sold for £30m. Rondon not offered a contract.

Steve Bruce was appointed first-team coach.

More anger at an irresponsible, inexcusable, underwhelming hire.

#NUFC

11/18
Mike Ashley was feeling the heat.

His next move had to generate temporary excitement. He had to do something to flip the supporters back onside.

We all saw it coming, too.

#NUFC

12/18
As Rafa left, and as Steve Bruce came in, Ashley gave the green light for new signings.

£40m for Joelinton (most of which came from the Ayoze sale), £20m for ASM, and a quick loan deal for Willems.

#NUFC

13/18
Signings that should have been Rafa's.

Investment* that should have been Rafa's.

Not true ambition; an act to snake Rafa, earn fans back, and potentially earn sell-on value while protecting his asset.

#NUFC

14/18
This is Mike Ashley Football Club.

This is not Newcastle United Football Club.

Some supporters will fall in love with the idea of Joelinton scoring 20 goals, and ASM's spectacular skills.

A hope of ambition, Europe, FA Cup runs, and more.

15/18
But this is more of the same.

Ashley was desperate, which forced his hand to appoint Rafa Benitez.

When Benitez became too strong, it was time for him to go.

Enter Yes-Man, and a quick injection of incoming transfers. Like McClaren before.

#NUFC

16/18
Just enough to secure safety.

Because that's what this is to him.

Anyone that thinks Ashley has learned from his mistakes and this is different is kidding themselves.

He's a liar. He doesn't care about you or your dreams for #NUFC.

17/18
In summary, I leave you with this.

Rafa Benitez reminded us of what could be.

Mike Ashley exists to remind you it will never be.

Ashley's NUFC is rotting at the heart.

And Rafa showed us that it will never change until Ashley is gone forever.

#NUFC

18/18
While you're here...we're making content about #NUFC weekly...check us out, subscribe, and get in touch! We need your support and feedback.

soundcloud.com/the-exiled-geo…

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

open.spotify.com/show/3v5p1dQwV…

❤️❤️❤️
Missing some Tweet in this thread?
You can try to force a refresh.

Like this thread? Get email updates or save it to PDF!

Subscribe to The Exiled Geordies
Profile picture

Get real-time email alerts when new unrolls are available from this author!

This content may be removed anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!