Leaderboard

Yes, but leaving this football club aside for a moment, how was Rome?

Must admit, it'll be hard to get behind the team without Benitez. He made a huge difference to the team and support. The last few years were the most enjoyable since Robson. What an utter cunt Ashley is.

Couldn't give a shiny shite who the next manager is like. I actually hope it is a Kinnearesque appointment. I'm done til he goes.

I've just been thinking about how Benitez has conducted himself over the past 3 years in the face of adversity caused by his employers and he has been nothing short of magnificent in every sense. From his integrity, his man management, his tactical nouse, his ability to push players beyond their perceived capabilities, steadying the ship after relegation, galvanising the club and the fans, his work beyond the pitch with local communities and young people and his charity work aswell both here and in Liverpool. The list is endless. The man lives and breathes football and deserved so much more than this regime afforded him. Benitez is a class act no doubt. Good luck for the future Rafa!

The most disappointing thing about the whole affair is the fact we never got to see how far a world class manager in Rafa could have taken the club if the owner matched his ambition, and Rafa was fully committed to taking the club places aswell.

It’s sad to say but the apathy is such that I’m not even that arsed

Rafa was the best thing at the club since they pissed off Keegan. They did it again and I really think that Ashley is probably getting pleasure out of it in taking revenge in the abuse he gets. His sole intentions are his own well-being. He doesn’t care in the slightest about the club and the fans. I guess we will get Richard Keys defending him at some point today.

Didn’t get a card in the end. Got there 15 minutes late so missed the boring bit and got stuck straight into the scran. A success of a day all around.

He is good at offering things he won’t have to pay out, like paying for an unwanted end of season trip...

When’s your ninth birthday?

SSN are bought and fuckin paid for

As were the people having a pop at him for being a sweaty, panting gobshite

So, the people slating him were right, is what he's saying?

Lock the thread!

Sad news to wake up to but can’t say I’m surprised. This is how Ashley operates and nothing will change till the fat cunt leaves or dies.

It only really works if you have a manager worth their salt so of course, we’re looking at Steve Bruce and David Moyes

Was a fucking disaster by the end of Carr's reign too. Cabella and Thauvin wanting to be anywhere else but here. Mbemba not looking like he could cut it in English football, Yanga-Mbiwa was peddled sharpish too.

Well it worked well before with Wise doing the recruiting

People like you deserve an owner like Ashley

Was Rome nice?

My cousin is a Wycombe wanderers fan. He has a bet on every game through an online account, just accumulating winnings as he goes. He was £12 up at the end of the season. He whacked the lot on 1 spin on of an online slot and won £20k

Suggestions that Rafa had still hoped to negotiate a deal before Ashley decided to make the announcement today

I'm still holding onto the hope that the takeover will go through and they announce Benitez as their first recruitment. It could happen.

Just got back home from Roma and this is what I see turning the WiFi on in the house. Fuck you Michael Ashley, fuck you very much. Can't wait for the inevitable excuses why the club couldn't get sold and a 'we need to rally behind the club' from Moncur or someone like Shola when Terry Fuckwit is managing the team on a six year contract. Football genius strikes again.

My only hope is that they’re appointing someone on a temporary basis to run pre-season while a takeover happens. I can’t wait to be bitterly disappointed by my own delusions.

Fuck peaceful, get the windows through

This is pretty much where I am. I'm mostly behind Rafa for making the right decision. I'm also making a commitment right now to not watch another Newcastle match till the Fat Cunt is gone. That's not remotely the same as not going to matches but it'll be tough to do and is my own little fuck you. Will genuinely dance a jig the day the cunt dies.

I fucking hate Newcastle United.

They wouldn't even realise that actually makes them look even more stupid. They'll think they're deflecting blame on him,

Going makes you a fuckin scab

I think the majority on here are the same now Alex. Come on here for the craic with lads lack yourself etc who have been on here since the start.

I can honestly believe that they haven't even considered a replacement.

Thanks for the great job you done Rafa with your hands virtually tied behind your back with this poisoned regime.

He was breathing through something, that's for sure

I haven’t bought a new home shirt since 2007 and £65 for a one without stripes plastered with a massive sponsor isn’t convincing me. I got a 1960s shirt from Toffs, the perfect home shirt for me & it never goes out of date. £23 less than the new top and one immeasurably nicer.

Are you religious? If you are, then something like , ” This special day marks the start of your spiritual journey. May it bring lasting peace and joy to your life.” If not, something like, ”Lies. It’s all lies”

Good to know that CT's boy's lisp hasn't transferred to his writing.

Avram Grant apparently also in the running

i knew they'd be scraping the barrel but his CV is, well 2008–2010 Real Maryland Monarchs 2011 Newport County 2011–2014 Bahrain U23 2013–2014 Bahrain 2014–2017 New Zealand U23 2014–2017 New Zealand 2017–2019 Colorado Rapids