Transfer Centre

Rafael Benitez: 'Things aren't good at Newcastle United'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 02 August 2018

Manager Rafael Benitez says that "things are not going well off the pitch" at Newcastle United with just over a week remaining of the summer transfer window.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has suggested that he is becoming increasingly frustrated with life behind the scenes at St James' Park.

The Magpies have raised over £40m from player sales during the summer transfer window, and Benitez has been working to a strategy where he will be allowed to spend whatever funds are generated from trimming his squad.

However, as it stands, Newcastle have spent just £7m on four new players - excluding a loan fee for Chelsea's Kenedy - and despite the club being linked with new signings, Benitez has indicated that he is not optimistic about the club's work ahead of the closure of the window next Thursday.

After Newcastle lost 4-0 to Braga on Wednesday night, Benitez told reporters at a press conference: "It was a bad game. We did not do things the way we have to.

"Ten days before the start of the season now and this is wake up call. We have to realise we can't make these mistakes. Things are not going well off the pitch and you can see a reflection of that on the pitch."

When pressed on whether Newcastle would make any new signings before August 9, Benitez added: "I have no idea".

Newcastle begin the new season with a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.