Rafa Benitez predicts what will happen if Newcastle United confirm move to new stadium

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Newcastle United could one day leave their iconic stadium.

Indeed, St James’ Park has been the home Newcastle United for 133 years but the clock may be ticking on their time there.

That is not an easy thing to say given just how important the ground is to the club. The heartbeat of the city, it’s unique among football stadiums – particularly in England.  

Still, the Newcastle United owners are thought to be considering a change.

PIF have targeted building a new stadium for Newcastle, with a potential move to the nearby Leazes Park said to be under consideration.

Whatever decision the club’s top brass makes will be controversial. Building a state-of-the-art new ground brings obvious financial benefits but the idea of leaving St James’ Park is just not that easy.

Asked about the idea of moving, Rafa Benitez has given his verdict.

• READ MORE: Everything we know about Newcastle United’s potential new stadium

Rafa Benitez reacts to Newcastle United new stadium talk

The former Newcastle United manager was asked about his thoughts on the matter by The Chronicle.

Benitez admitted leaving St James’ would be difficult but suggested the club simply have to consider the progress moving to a new ground could see them make.

He suggested fans would get used to life in a new home if the team continued winning trophies, having finally ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic honour when lifting the Carabao Cup last month.

“It’s always difficult when you have a big stadium with so many good memories, but you know you have to progress and if they do that and do well, hopefully, the new stadium will also be something that the fans will remember and they can enjoy winning trophies in the new stadium,” he said.

“Hopefully it will be like that.”

• READ MORE: Newcastle United’s St James’ Park masterplan blows Big Six rivals out the water amid official £100m reveal

Newcastle United new stadium potential location, cost and capacity

There are suggestions a new stadium could cost Newcastle upwards of £1.2bn, so it’s natural that PIF wouldn’t want rush into any decision.

Newcastle’s new stadium could have a capacity of 68,000, representing a significant upgrade on the 52,000 they currently have at St James’.

Interestingly, Newcastle could build their new stadium on Leazes Park, which of course is next to St James’.

Benitez is right. The prospect of leaving St James’ is gut-wrenching but, sadly, competing at the top of the footballing pyramid leaves little room for sentiment.