Rafael Benitez Hire Aims to Get Newcastle United Back on Track
One supposes the first thing that comes to mind after reading our headline is: "Were Newcastle United ever 'on track' to begin with?"
It is a legitimate question, and there is not a great answer.
Newcastle's last major trophy was the 1954/55 FA Cup. After 61 years, it is safe to assert the club being "off track" is more normal than peculiar, but periods of near-success have existed, most notably the mid-1990s and early-2000s.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Newly promoted to the Premier League in 1993/94, Newcastle finished third; two straight runners-up finishes followed in 1995/96 and 1996/97. Losing consecutive FA Cup finals in 1997/98 and 1998/99—to Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively—the Toon's last time being "on track," with major silverware a possibility, was under Sir Bobby Robson, who took on the role in September 1999.
Three straight seasons in the EPL's top five (2001/02, 2002/03 and 2003/04)—twice qualifying for the UEFA Champions League with Alan Shearer scoring at least 25 goals each season—Newcastle were one of the world's most profitable footballing institutions and one of England's most fervently supported clubs.
Sacked August 30, 2004—after four league fixtures—Sir Bobby's departure seems the catalyst of Newcastle United's current valley.
Other than a seventh-place finish in 2005/06 and a rather spectacular fifth-place finish under Alan Pardew in 2011/12, Newcastle have been abject. In their last 10 Premier League seasons (missing one due to relegation after the 2008/09 campaign), the Magpies' average position is 12th.
This year, though, the Toon Army would rip your arm off (probably both) if offered 12th place.
Sacking last summer's new manager Steve McClaren, owner Mike Ashley—after spending upwards of £80 million—has appointed the most decorated manager in club history, and their best since Robson, Rafael Benitez.
Sacked from his position at Real Madrid in January, the Spanish manager has accepted the task of a lifetime. Speaking to his general quality as a footballing mind, Benitez has no tactile experience with relegation battles. Taking over a 19th-placed Newcastle United, with 10 matches left on their schedule, the mountain he needs to climb is steep, but not impossible.
"Aston Villa are going down
— JΛY BUCKS (@TheMasterBucks) March 7, 2016"
Norwich are likely going down.
It's either going to be Newcastle or Sunderland. The derby is gonna be massive!
Thanks to a struggling Premier League, there are four clubs in the relegation scrap.
Aston Villa's chances of salvation are nonexistent, leaving three clubs for two spots as presently constituted. Norwich City and Sunderland are Newcastle's direct competition for the 17th and all-important spot in this particular, unique rendition of musical chairs.
Once past league-leading Leicester City in his debut as Newcastle manager, Benitez's next two fixtures are home vs. Sunderland and Norwich City away. In the space of three matchdays, the Spaniard could be clear of the relegation zone or cut adrift from 17th with seven matches left.
Assuming the most talented club (Newcastle), with the best manager (Newcastle), can somehow escape from the clutches of relegation, and Ashley has convinced Benitez Newcastle is an ideal place to continue his managerial career—albeit a tough sell after our history lesson—something could actually brew near the river Tyne.
A world-class manager, with St James' Park's 52,000 seats, the backing of a billionaire owner and some of Europe's most passionate fans seems like a blueprint for success. After 61 years without a major trophy, enduring relegation and battles with managers/boards/owners, Newcastle supporters warrant at least competence.
However improbable his appointment, Benitez has a chance to start fresh, demolish the muddled visions of previous managers and build a functioning club from the ground up. There is one caveat, though: The rebuilding process can only transpire after safety is secured.
Not to insult our collective intelligence, but—no matter how many trophies Benitez has and no matter how many millions Ashley spends—getting "back on track" is impossible from the Championship.
The next 10 fixtures are seminal moments in Newcastle United history. Relegation plunges the club into chaos, but enough points to stay up could mean revival.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
