It’s hard to stand by and watch a good man walk voluntarily and enthusiastically to the gallows.
The Newcastle job. The poisoned chalice of the Premier League. One wonders why anyone would contemplate going there while owner Mike Ashley remains at the helm. Rafa Benitez, who over-achieved in the past three years, felt he could stay no longer. Off to China he went.
The club’s top three players from last season have each left; Ayoze Perez (to Leicester City), Salomon Rondon (to join his old boss at Dalian Yifang) and Mohamed Diame (Al Ahly).