NEWCASTLE UNITED
Rafa Benitez: "Here I can work without any backroom politics"
The Spanish coach was speaking after his Newcastle United side secured a straight return to the Premier League with a win over PrestonChina vs Wales: China Cup
At the first time of asking, Rafa Benítez has steered his Newcastle United back to the Premier League after a 4-1 at home over Preston was enough to mathematically guarantee a place in the top flight of English football for the 2017/18 campaign.
Veiled comment
In his post match comment, the Madrid born coach took time to thank the board, his first team squad and the loyalty of the Newcastle fans. He also took time to respond to his detractors who claimed he wouldn't be cut out to coach in a "cut and thrust" league that is the English Championship.
Later on, Benítez was interviewed on Cadena SER's late night football radio show and offered a veiled attack, apparently directed at former club Real Madrid. He stated: "Here (in England) one is valued and respected for ones work and there are no backroom politics, unlike at other places".
Future at St. James Park
When pushed on continuity with the Magpies, the 57 year old was coy stating: "One never knows what lies around the corner, that's the way football is".
Despite no guantee that he would continue with the North East based outfit, Benítez was adamant that money would need to be spent to bolster the squad to meet the demands of top flight football in England claiming that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley would offer a budget of 82 million euro for squad reinforcement.
