Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez reckons Amanda Staveley’s takeover can help the Toon become a top team again
British businesswoman looks set to buy the Magpies from Mike Ashley after he put the club up for sale
RAFA BENITEZ believes a Newcastle takeover could lift the club back towards the top of the English game.
Mike Ashley this week revealed he wants to sell the Toon by Christmas after ten years at St James’ Park.
And Amanda Staveley, who runs investment fund PCP Capital Partners, has signed a non-disclosure agreement and is the current front-runner to buy out the Sports Direct tycoon.
Boss Benitez revealed he has met the Yorkshire financier twice in the past – most recently after Newcastle’s last home match against Liverpool.
And while the Spaniard is fully focused on today’s clash with Crystal Palace, he understands how "important" a change of ownership could be.
Benitez said: “I know the fans will be excited. I know everything about the history, the comments. I know that, reading the press in the last few days, it's really important for everyone here.
“When I signed here it was because I could see the potential. It's one of the top sides in England if you put everything together.
“The question is, is it reaching its level? Obviously, no. Can we do it? I think so. I think we can do better. I don't want to say too much but this club has to be in the top ten.
TOON RAIDER Amanda Staveley close to buying Toon after signing non-disclosure agreement
"What does that mean? Ninth, tenth or maybe more. I want to be sure we can compete in other competitions and go higher in the table.
“I don't say that just because of the fans or the city - it's because you can see the potential when you compare to other clubs.”
Newcastle transfer news
Benitez today comes up against Eagles boss Roy Hodgson, who succeeded him at Liverpool in 2010.
And the Newcastle chief has revealed how he thinks he played a part in his own sacking and Hodgson’s subsequent appointment.
Benitez admitted: “I was talking really well about him with our directors – and when I left they appointed him.”
The pair had a public spat when Hodgson criticised the state of the club he inherited and their “expensive failures”, and Benitez had hit back saying, “He’s talking about things he doesn’t know”.
But yesterday, Rafa added: “It’s all water under the bridge. I’ve talked with him face-to-face day after all these things.”
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