As a Norwich fan living in Newcastle, it is impossible to escape talk of Rafael Benitez. The city’s streets and pubs have been awash with excited chatter from the local Geordies about the Spaniard’s arrival. There is an overwhelming sense that hope has been restored, the toon army believes that Benitez is their saviour and relegation is no longer inevitable.
But doesn’t this sound all too familiar? Cast your mind back to 2009 when Alan Shearer took charge of Newcastle, 18th in the table, 2 points adrift, with 8 games to save his beloved club. Like this past week, every camera and every newspaper had their focus fixed solely on the new boss. Shearer, the local hero, would surely be the saviour. 8 weeks later, Newcastle were relegated.
So whilst the media continue their love-in with Rafa and his ‘facts’, Norwich fans can take heart from the fact that a celebrity status does not guarantee success. Benitez, 55, might have a more impressive C.V. than his counterparts Alex Neil and Sam Allardyce, but does the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss have what it takes to win a relegation battle?
Less than two months ago, Benitez had the luxury of selecting Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, so it would’ve been a bit of a shock to the system when the Spaniard called the players in for training on Friday afternoon to find the likes of Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey. City fans should be more concerned by Allardyce, at Sunderland, who has a history of getting the most out of a group of mediocre footballers.
Benitez, who signed a three-year deal with a sensible clause allowing him to leave should Newcastle be relegated to the Championship, took his side to league leaders Leicester on Monday night, and lost 1-0 to the Foxes, who it has to be said weren’t playing at their best.
Then comes the two matches that will surely make or break Newcastle’s season. The Tyne-Wear derby will be a baptism of fire for Benitez, and whilst the Spanish manager has experienced the Merseyside, Milan and Madrid derbies, as well as El Clasico, the intensity inside St James’ Park next weekend will make the hairs on the back of Rafa’s neck stand up. He will need to break a long run of Newcastle derby defeats as well, with the Magpies failing to win in their last six attempts against the Black Cats.
The Geordies will then be landing at Norwich Airport. Whatever the result at West Brom on Saturday, the Carrow Road faithful will be fired up to get one over on their relegation rivals. Neil’s team won’t be distracted by the Rafa revolution and the Scottish boss will ensure Norwich fight to the death to down Newcastle. That’s a fact.
If City can safely see off Benitez’s boys, then the Spanish boss faces a huge uphill battle to keep Newcastle’s neck above water, and the hype around the new manager will be over quicker than you can say ‘say hello to Ipswich’. Meanwhile, Norwich’s focus will switch to getting the better of the other half of the North East, when Sunderland visit Norfolk a fortnight later.
