Rafa Benitez has revealed he decided to leave Newcastle after seeing their proposed takeover fail to materialise, lamenting current owner Mike Ashley’s lack of vision for the club.
The Spaniard departed St James’ Park upon the expiry of his contract last summer after failing to agree terms on an extension with Ashley.
After guiding them to a 13th-place finish with a depleted transfer budget last season, Benitez’s exit sparked fury among Magpies supporters, who were left even more seething when Steve Bruce was named as his successor.
Newcastle's survival hopes assessed after winless run brings relegation fears
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce criticised after 'honest' Joelinton goalscoring comments
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager had grown frustrated with Ashley’s reluctance to spend money in the transfer market, but was given hope of a cash injection when the Dubai-based Bin Zayed Group declared their interest to buy Newcastle.
In the end, though, talk of a takeover on Tyneside fizzled out.
And Benitez has admitted he decided to walk away from the club when it became clear Ashley would be staying put.
Newcastle United takeover in doubt as Amanda Staveley and Saudi talks 'fall flat without agreement'
“We had a stage of reflection in Newcastle, because a sale could have occurred and a new project emerged,” he is quoted as saying by Spanish publication AS.
“In Newcastle we were close to home and that change entailed a strong financial commitment.
“But it did not arise and the previous project had shown that it did not want to grow because it had not made the necessary investment.”
Steve Bruce makes head scratching assessment of £40m Newcastle striker Joelinton
After waving goodbye to the Magpies, Benitez took charge of Chinese Super League Outfit Dalian Yifang and remains in charge today.
The 59-year-old won seven of his first 17 games at the club, but is now being forced to wait for the new season to commence as a result of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce considering starting Dwight Gayle for Crystal Palace clash
More than 80,000 people around the world have tested positive for the virus, which started in Chinese city Wuhan.
The new Chinese Super League campaign was due to start on February 22, but the outbreak has forced league officials to delay the launch date until it is controlled.
Read More
Today's top football stories on Daily Star
Bon Jovi sends Leeds star goals message Man Utd have Grealish transfer concern Arsenal create Aubameyang transfer plan Fernandes stuns fans with silky dummy
“The biggest difficulty we are having is that, because we started planning with the idea to start in February,” Benitez said.
“We usually do six weeks of preseason. But first it coincided with the Chinese New Year in January and when we left for Spain the problems with the virus began. We don't know when the league really starts. It is said that maybe in April.”
Source: Read Full Article
REVEALED: The Premier League team of the season by Sofascore
Chelsea’s Twitter savages Leeds with ruthless revenge tweet after relegation
Barcelona 'have agreed a £26m deal to sign Wolves captain Ruben Neves'
Weston McKennie jumps straight on train out of Leeds after relegation
Bielsa casts shadow and ownership uncertainty – reasons behind Leeds’ relegation