Amanda Staveley’s proposed takeover of Newcastle United is dependent on manager Rafael Benitez remaining in his job after she demanded he stays at the club, according to a report.
The Daily Mail claim on their website that the British businesswoman has warned current owner Mike Ashley against disposing of the Spanish manager despite the club’s lowly league position, having slipped into the relegation zone following defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.
The likes of Everton, West Ham, West Brom and Crystal Palace, all of whom have been embroiled in the fight at the bottom of the table, have changed managers this season, but Staveley has reportedly insisted it is crucial that Benitez remains if Ashley wants to see the takeover deal go through.
It is said that both Ashley and Staveley, who is fronting an approach from PCP Capital Partners, are still engaged in negotiations as they try to come to an agreement, after it was claimed earlier in the week that the two parties were closing in on a £300million deal.
It has also been reported that Staveley and Benitez share mutual connections and have crossed each other’s paths in recent years, which is said to have boosted the chances of the manager remaining at St James’ Park.
In other Newcastle United news, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was full of praise for one Magpies figure after their clash.
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