Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez hints at broken promises from owner Mike Ashley: 'He knows what he told me'

  • Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez feels Mike Ashley needs to be a man of his word 
  • Benitez has reopened wounds with his owner over the lack of investment made 
  • Spaniard clearly feels he is performing with his hands tied behind his back 
  • Newcastle have spent £35m on six players but Benitez feels more is needed
  • READ: Conte leading the sack race - but can he upset the odds against Spurs? 

Rafa Benitez says Mike Ashley knows what he promised him at the end of last season and has hinted that the Newcastle owner has not been good to his word.

Ashley gave a rare interview last weekend in which he claimed he could not afford to give the manager the transfer budget he would like.

Benitez says he did not watch the half hour broadcast but is aware of its content. 

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has inferred that he was promised funds this summer

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has inferred that he was promised funds this summer

Owner Mike Ashley attended the club's opening game of the season against Tottenham

Owner Mike Ashley attended the club's opening game of the season against Tottenham

The Spaniard sat down with the sports retail tycoon in May and agreed to stay on as boss after getting what he thought were guarantees over squad investment and control.


But after spending just £35million on six players this summer he remains far from happy and, when asked about Ashley's interview, he said: 'He knows what he told me (in May) and what I was thinking.

'We cannot change what is going on. I am concentrating on improving the team. 

'It (the interview) didn't change anything of what I think and it doesn't change anything in terms of my approach to the games or the training sessions.

'I know what he said (in the interview), I know what the fans think about the interview and I know if I keep talking about that, I will not change anything. 

Benitez says he can only focus on trying to produce results with the resources he has available

Benitez says he can only focus on trying to produce results with the resources he has available

'My opinion about the interview, if I say this or that, it will not change anything. 

'I want to concentrate on the things that depend on me, that is to improve the team, to prepare the team and to approach the Huddersfield game with the right mentality.' 

Stoke striker Joselu arrived on Tyneside this week at a cost of £5m, but it would appear that Benitez must now sell before he can buy.

'We know where we are, we know the way to move forward and to keep doing our job every day and try to do something in the market to move players in and out,' he said.

'We have a lot of players to move out before we can move in. It is too early to say if the work behind the scenes is good. We will see.' 

Meanwhile, Benitez says he has spoken with Jonjo Shelvey after he was sent off for a petulant stamp on Spurs midfielder Dele Alli last Sunday.

Newcastle have just 13 more days to bring in new recruits before the window slams shut 

Newcastle have just 13 more days to bring in new recruits before the window slams shut 

Shelvey - who is banned for three matches - told Sportsmail he is seeing a psychologist in a bid to deal with his mental demons.

And Benitez said: 'He knows he made a mistake and everyone agrees with that. He is the first one that wants to change, wants to improve. We have been working on that and so is he.

'The situation is not what you are expecting, so you have to keep going to give the right message. He knows. It depends on him and those around him.'