“I Didn’t Trust Them”: The REAL Reason Why Rafa Benitez Left Newcastle United

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Benitez exclusive: Unfulfilled promises and loss of trust - the real story of my Newcastle exit: theathletic.com/1132481/2019/...
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“I Didn’t Trust Them”: The REAL Reason Why Rafa Benitez Left Newcastle United
Rafael Benitez left Newcastle United in June of 2019 after three years with the Magpies. However, his relationship with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley had always been a touchy subject, as there were clear differences in ideologies. In Rafa Benitez’s first column for The Athletic, he speaks his truth as to the REAL reason why he left Newcastle United for a move to China with Dalian Yifang; including Mike Ashley, Lee Charnley, the failed takeover of Newcastle United, Newcastle’s relegation and time in the Championship and much more.
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#RabonaTV #TheAthletic #RafaBenitez

[@RabonaTV]

This is the first of my collaborations with The Athletic. They're going ballistic in the transfer window and signing all of football's best writers (Rafa Honingstein, David Ornstein, Dan Taylor, etc.), so if you want to support the channel, head to www.theathletic.com/rabonatv for a 30-day free trial and 50% off your annual subscription. Thanks guys! Appreciate you.

[@enricovecchio6810]

Yo! Can't wait for your next watchalong. I watched them all the time.

[@RabonaTV]

I'll do one in the next two weeks!

[@sergiodelarosajr4845]

Rabona TV absolutely top notch channel and I love these type of vids!!!!

[@terstegenisthegoat4914]

Newcastle didnt deserve Rafa

[@BubblesChika]

Truer words have never been spoken.

[@paungabriel9360]

The fans did. The ownership did not,Rafa coverd so many times for their incompetence.

[@albertrogers4130]

mike Ashley didn't, but people like true geordie and masterbucks did

[@hugolouessard3914]

As a Liverpool fan I feel for Newcastle. I mean he stayed in the championship and they say he went away for money. Come on this club deserves better ownership

[@paungabriel9360]

@@hugolouessard3914 i am a Liverpool fan aswel. But i am really sorry for Newcastle,Rafa with a decent amount of spending mayeb would have got them to the europa league

[@mystic8388]

Not a Newcastle fan but he was a miracle worker

[@jensarinbjorn]

Feel sad for Rafa. Newcastle's fans deserved a manager like Rafa. Ashley didn't deserve him.

[@Tom_murray89]

Totally agree Ashley was an awful owner I’m glad we now have an ownership that invest in the whole club not just letting us sink

[@ifandafydd7432]

I really did feel for Newcastle fans, the fact they basically admitted to being so shit they wouldn't even blame their manager for walking out

[@alvinanis3006]

When Rafa wrote the article himself, you know how bad of an owner Mike Ashley is...

[@timparish2002]

It's such a shame to see a club like Newcastle in so much of a shambles

[@dtssnapback2002]

Timmo P spurs are also a shambles

[@timparish2002]

@@dtssnapback2002 we're not really though are we? I was making a genuine comment

[@tyrkun1624]

@@dtssnapback2002 Says an Arsenal fan, come back when you reach the QF of the Champio.... nevermind

[@KingLamink]

shame but its funny to laugh at us haha

[@youngtiteakachamp]

@@tyrkun1624 must've forgot Arsenal reached a final before y'all...oh wait

[@Sebastian1979XD]

I was looking for something exciting for my lunch break and BAM! Adrian comes through what a homie 🙌

[@RabonaTV]

My pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your shift!

[@vincentproductions8963]

Rafa sacked New Castle

[@henry7486]

Bert NUFC It could be auto-correct

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

New Hassle

[@rossfarquhar7683]

The Newcastle fans (including me) were lucky and ecstatic to have Rafa as a manager. Ashley ruined everything.

[@jb175]

Tbf rafa was working miracles with that squad. In the meantime Steve Bruce couldnt do shite all with villa who easily had the best team in the championship. Feel bad for Newcastle hell be sacked by Christmas.

[@iansouthward7991]

I should imagine he will do it in this country and probably based in Liverpool. We would welcome him back with open arms. An honoury scouser and a genuine gentleman much loved at Anfield.......

[@abakir5578]

And i thank you so much for uploading.

[@shawnmason5551]

Great work, Adrian! Thanks.

[@Timliu92]

As a neutral, I would have felt the same had I been in Rafa's position. Mike Ashley clearly did not give Rafa the support he needed.

[@KremBotop]

First time I get to watch another Rabona Tv masterpiece seconds after its upload. LETS GO! Love your content

[@bbvestieofthemagbloodaltar7665]

Thank you Adrian, thank you for this.

[@andrewcosta2]

I knew this day would come, keep it up king🏆🔥💪🏼👀

[@RabonaTV]

✊

[@andrewcosta2]

Rabona TV 💪🏼💪🏼

[@dtssnapback2002]

👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@elijahaywago7274]

mentioning MLS and champions league in the same statement is oxymoronic.

[@scinematography6196]

I don't think other fans know how bad our facilities are, the players have to stand in wheelybins full of ice for an icebath. Before Rafa came we only had a 2G pitch to train on.

[@Monkey_SK]

The only hope for Newcastle fans now is relegation and maybe even a second relegation after that. Ashley might then give up on his money making project if there is no money left in it.

[@joemills3654]

Liked, shared and subscribed.

[@victoriagooner9907]

A very good collaboration video Adrian. That was the first article I read on The Athletic after getting my subscription when they went live. It is a shame that Ashley and the Newcastle board treated Rafa like that. Newcastle didn't deserve Rafa. He was a very good resourceful manager and only wanted the best for the Newcastle project he was promised when he was hired. Looking forward to many more collaboration videos in the future. Any chance of covering Michael Cox and some formation/tactics? Cheers!

[@RabonaTV]

I could do that!

[@billywoodward584]

Great Manager, we all love him at Newcastle, lets hope when Mike Ashley sells the club Rafa might be convinced to return

[@hugolouessard3914]

Tell me if I'm wrong but I think Newcastle fans will remember who tried to settle in and build something and brought them back up from the championship, and who let him down. He did wonders, I feel like this year Newcastle is in big trouble

[@imfc1330]

Will you do a video on the impact one day the history of the club or the recent firing of Remi garde which was surprising for the fans

[@jaredl3903]

Congrats on the partnership! The Athletic are one of the best companies in the business.

[@RabonaTV]

Cheers Jared!

[@KingLamink]

on the bright side its really funny to point and laugh at us

[@shafiqueiqbal279]

Wow Newcastle have always had that potential but it shows how much owners can impact on a team.

[@hughtube5154]

No way was Rafa going to sign that zero hours contract!

[@itsmattxxiii]

They should've brought back Pardiola, since he has the Top 6 in his pocket.

[@RabonaTV]

That is the best nickname ever for Big Pards.

[@a.warner8246]

🤣 the man is a dinosaur! Nothing innovative about his tactics whatsoever. Would have lost every job sooner without help from the refs and biased media viewpoints. One of the most overhyped managers to manage in the prem....ever!

[@iuriteixeira3101]

great collaboration, it's very important to be associated with good and credible sources. #RUMOAOS100K

[@RabonaTV]

Rum aos 100k lmaoooo

[@patrickhouston3882]

Didn’t know KZbin had infomercial?

[@RabonaTV]

The video is 10:05, I speak about the partnership for 1:05 - that's 90% of the video that is pure content. And hey, did you pay to watch this video?😉Enjoy the free content man, us creators have to pay bills and eat too.

[@sammartinez3901]

Explain the situation of James and Zidane please from when it started from 2016 to now

[@ivrishcon-abarth38]

There was the chance of a generation for Newcastle. In Rafa they had manager who could´ve changed the course more or less permanently upwards. Being Liverpool man, I still sympathise with Newcastle on this, they have huge amount of fans, basically full stadium in Championship etc. In the owner won´t invest in players, I can somehow get it, but not to improve training facilities and not investing for youth, WHEN you have a guy like Benitez ready, willing and able to see the thing through... WTF?

[@franriding6473]

With proper investment he probably he could have made newcastle a top 6 club. Now he is at my club and you can notice the difference in coaching /tactics from Ancelotti. The players look fitter and more comfortable in their positions. He is a top coach.

[@y1521t21b5]

NUFC are being relegated again this season... He said, she said, but I tend to believe Rafa.

[@CornPopWazABadDude]

Are you Canadian?

[@Midori_Ringo]

A lot of people saying Rafa didn't really care about Newcastle and left for the money. That really doesn't make any sense He was pretty well regarded still when Newcastle got relegated and he could've left. I actually remember a lot of Chinese teams were in for him reportedly had he left back then. There was probably more cash on offer back then too before Chinese teams had to pay a 100% luxury tax on foreigner salaries if the team wasn't profitable and operating at a loss.That came in this year along with a whole bunch of other rules about foreigner salaries.

[@GabrielPeregrina]

Rafa was too good for us, I'm just so disappointed that the ownership couldn't see what he brought to the club. I'm just hoping our next relegation will be a tipping point for Ashley and his cronies.

[@techh9171]

Man as a Newcastle fan I really believed that Rafa was good but unfortunately his reign in magpies didn't last long

[@zoundsic]

Didn't need to work for Ashley to know where his interests lies. Sorry lads and good luck with him finding a decent owner who want's to buy it off him. Odds are not good you'll not get worse.

[@anshchhabra93]

As usual , this guy is GOLD!

[@stephenramos2824]

Just going to skip over him winning the champions league but finishing out of the top 4 spots which ended up screwing over another team (Everton I think?)

[@moon8983]

BUNDESLIGA PREDICTIONS PLEASE

[@JoeLisle]

I just want Rafa back 😢

[@brightonmwemezi1641]

Why aren't arsenal even thinking Rafa

[@jezzat3778]

mike ashley needs to be held accountable for the destruction of a iconic team and community

[@kevinhanandi]

If mourinho said that his second place with united is his biggest achievement, then rafa biggest achievement is keep newcastle in premier league for 2 seasons (maybe he is not that proud about it, but consider the state of the club, it kinds of a miracle tbh)

[@Timbone07]

As a Man Unitd fan, I feel like Newcastle fans. We need serious investment. We did not get a DM or a left back or a replacement for Herera. That they bought Dalot in the first place is ridiculous. The last time we bought a good full back was Evra and he was a Champions League finalist. The board is crazy. Dalot is essentially a waste of money

[@samallardyce2522]

it could be worst. look at bolton & bury

[@sawangaba2457]

Hello

[@eashansaju8106]

i played with Newcastle in fm if they didn't have mike ashley. lets just say the top 6 became the top 7 in 2 seasons

[@MrNweth]

Ooh yes because FM is real life.

[@asifmetal666]

As a Liverpool fan. I respect Rafa. He is an amazing manager.

[@user-jw3us7dy6f]

Obviously you would

[@hi-ls6lt]

He’s a former manager of yours. I hope you do

[@varunmadhavan3227]

Leeds are back.. I"m hoping Newcastle manage to kick out Ashley and give back the club its true glory its fans deserve... That would return the Premier League to its most beautiful se6lf...

[@EP_1990]

They just lost to Sheffield who haven't won a game this season and didn't keep clean sheet for about 20 games. LOOOLLL. They deserve relegation.

[@rayray1676]

BRING BACK RAFA PLEASE

[@iandrewtv]

Newcastle to League 1, great fans or not. Looking forward to the eventual crash and burn.

[@davidtogi5878]

I dont know which one was right or wrong, but i dont trust people who demands loyalty. "...because of money" my ass. They are just your typical money grubber that calls people unloyal so they dont have to spend more money.

[@dejardainsletallec6027]

love rafa wish we had him at west ham instead of pellegrini love newcastle too hate seeing them under ashley

[@FormerPessitheRobberfan]

What's wrong with Pellegrini? Mong.

[@dejardainsletallec6027]

@@FormerPessitheRobberfan mong compare the two managers achievements idiot!!!

[@Banzybanz]

Very soon they'll be playing against Sunderland.

[@pedromegashit9999]

But the Newcastle fans can't organize a boycott or walkout RIP

[@pjmathison9787]

While I dislike mike Ashley and the rest of Newcastle owners. This is heavily bias. This is Rafa Benitez’ version of events and could be fabricated. Not saying it is but seeing as Benitez writes for the same website that being advertised it’s hard to see this is anything but promotion. Just a thought

[@bertnufc3924]

King Rafa👑

[@tyrkun1624]

Rafa was underrated for Chelsea.

[@GREGGFOWL]

Rafa, the manager newcastle need but not the one they deserved.

[@thepolticalone961]

Rafa probably would have stayed for years if they gave him some money and believed in him

[@5kplamse]

Newcastle betrayed Rafa.

[@javedabbas6207]

Rafa should have left the moment the team got relegated, forcing the owners to sell, thereby saving the team

[@docca123]

Give Steve Bruce a chance

[@geoffjones4285]

Hindsight Should never have gone to Chelski

[@user-jw3us7dy6f]

bruh what does that have to do with his time at Newcastle United?

[@engespress]

Rafa wasn't all that.

[@Ari-zp2qi]

Rafa was to good for newcastle

[@Tom_murray89]

Ashley was a awful owner and was lucky to attract a manager like Rafa

[@patrickscottwalsh]

not trying to shill, but the athletic is fucking great.

[@whiplash7400]

Money

[@ryanodonnell6748]

RAFA will be back at Chelsea before the end of the season

[@cecepwandy9098]

i will back here if rafa back to chelsea before end this season

[@ishtea]

MLS content, please!

[@municejr]

Newcastle is the worst managed club..miser owner

[@a.warner8246]

Watford are worse.

[@fastair8546]

mugs

[@andrewcosta2]

And I got first like

[@topwaffler7]

First

[@andrewcosta2]

First comment

[@andrewcosta2]

Daniel Pano is jealous ouuuuu haha

[@h2obubbli]

Jokecastle

[@lee7706]

FACT CHECK RAFA, AND YOU WILL SEE HE IS NOT AS GOOD AS EVERYONE THINKS. ASK WHY HE FAILED AT MILAN MADRID NAPOLI, AND NOW IN CHINA, FACTS DONT LIE

[@lee7706]

6 million a year helps at nufc. and he spent a fortune

[@JonathanNeilRhodes]

He is not failing in China (they are doing far better than they were last year). You have no idea what you are talking about out, but like everyone on the internet, that did not stop you making a comment. *sigh*

[@tonyroberts1477]

Newcastle are a Joke

[@theanomity3185]

Big & stupid club.

[@MrJudda1994]

Here's the real reason 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💸💸💸💷💷💷💷💷💴💴💶💶💶💵💵💵 All for the cash nothing more nothing less. He saw the green. Fair enough but dont make out he loved the club

[@henryj9388]

Your outfit kept distracting me 😡😡😡😡

[@krusher181]

Who do you think you are? Some sort of eloquent, Canadian True Geordie? Get out of here, Adrian.

[@RabonaTV]

🤔

[@pshort4802]

Raffa left for money, all this nonsense is to hide his failure

[@pshort4802]

@@JordanCarr44 maybe I missed something, in what way was he a success?

[@kclink1579]

Please don't start going down this low and pathetic form of clickbait. You don't need to and are better then that. Sad to see that one of my favourite KZbinrs is going down the road of insulting and disrespecting there subscribers.

[@RabonaTV]

What clickbait? I cited an article that he himself wrote (an article "in his own words"), the quote is from the video, and everything that is mentioned in the title is covered in the video. What clickbait are you talking about?