June 24, 2019 – make a note of it, because it is a date that will go down in Newcastle United history, and not one that will evoke fond memories for fans in years to come.
Not only is it the date Rafa Benitez leaving Newcastle United was made official, it is the date Mike Ashley’s era of ineptitude reached an ultimate low.
There have not been many highs during the high street magnate’s tenure of our great club, but there has certainly never been a lower point than this.
“It has not – and will not – be possible to reach an agreement” is what Newcastle United said in their official statement, but fans will see that as Ashley’s refusal to budge on any of his rigid parameters around signings and improvements at the club.
Angry fans feel hurt and betrayed
Anger has been building for weeks now, and just because it was beginning to look inevitable, does not make it hurt any less.
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Rafa has left a legacy at the club, and it seems impossible for a new manager to unite the fans behind them in the way that the Spaniard did.
If Ashley’s ownership of the club and relationship with the fans seemed strained before, it must be close to untenable now.
Fans have obviously taken to social media to offer their thoughts, and we could list thousands of them, but have selected the following few: