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Football

04th Aug 2018

Richard Keys’ response to Rafa Benitez’s complaints has been described as ’embarrassing’

Newcastle fans are ripping him apart for this

Darragh Murphy

Rafael Benitez is one of the most likable men in football.

Even many Manchester United fans can now find a soft spot for the former Liverpool manager, who currently finds himself struggling to cope with life at Newcastle.

Benitez has made no secret of his frustrations with what’s taking place behind the scenes at St James’ Park and is reportedly refusing to sign a contract extension with the Magpies until certain demands are met.

Chief among Benitez’s concerns is the lack of signings this summer, with the Tyneside club only managing to bring in three new faces in the current transfer window.

“When things are not going well off the pitch you can see a reflection on the pitch,” Benitez told the Guardian after this week’s 4-0 preseason defeat to Braga. “Everything – I’m really worried.”

There appears to be a marked disconnect between Benitez and club owner Mike Ashley as the Spaniard doubts whether his recruitment requests will be met ahead of the transfer window deadline.

“I have no idea. The fans have to be concerned, we are concerned. I’m really worried,” Benitez reiterated.

Most Newcastle supporters echo the concerns of the man who brought them back to the Premier League in his first full season in charge and kept the club in England’s top flight the next year.

But former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has no such sympathy for Benitez as he took to Twitter to criticise the Newcastle manager for airing his worries.

In what comes across as a bizarrely defensive reaction to the comments, Keys told Benitez to “shut up or walk” because “the club will survive you.”

Most Magpies fans want Benitez at the helm and also want to see more committed investment into the playing staff so it’s safe to say that the majority didn’t take Keys’ side of this particular argument.

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