Newcastle announcement completely blindsided Rafa Benítez | OneFootball

If you thought the Rafa Benítez-Mike Ashley saga at Newcastle was over, think again.

After months of attempting to negotiate a new deal at the club, Newcastle released a statement Monday announcing that Rafa Benítez will not be coming back after a little over three seasons at Tyneside.

However, it appears that Rafa Benítez was still attempting to remain at the club and figured he still had a week to hammer things out.

Sensational reports out of England state that the (now former) Newcastle boss was given no warning that Ashley was done negotiating with him and found out about the public statement through a friend over the phone.

If that wasn’t crazy enough, Sky Sports reporter Pete Graves says that both Rafa Benítez and the club are both claiming that they were open to continuing ongoing talks. Incredible stuff.

Rafa Benitez will now likely head to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang on a staggering £12m annual salary.

Former Swansea manager Garry Monk is now considered the oddsmakers favourite to take over the job, with Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and Manchester City assistant Mikel Arteta not far behind.

Jose Mourinho has also been long-linked to a stunning move to St. James’ Park, while former France and PSG boss Laurent Blanc has reportedly told Newcastle he’s ready to take the vacant position.