{"id":1097619,"date":"2019-07-10T16:32:14","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T15:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1097619"},"modified":"2019-07-10T16:32:14","modified_gmt":"2019-07-10T15:32:14","slug":"rafa-benitez-mike-ashley-newcastle","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/rafa-benitez-mike-ashley-newcastle\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafa Benitez aims dig at Mike Ashley over lack of Newcastle communication"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rafael Benitez has revealed he’s already had more meetings with members of the Dalian Yifang hierarchy than he did during his entire three-year spell with Newcastle United.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Spaniard ended his stint with the Magpies in June following the expiry of his contract, drawing large amounts of anger from fans towards Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7311398-alexander-arnold-s-perfect-mentor-the-goat-right-back-is-available-for-free<\/p>\n

Benitez has taken up a new challenge in the Chinese Super League and has now suggested he already feels more valued than he did at St. James’ Park, thanks to the level of communication between himself and the club’s hierarchy.<\/p>\n

“Since the moment of our arrival we have really been touched by the kindness and respect that we have been shown,” the Spaniard wrote in a blog post on his personal website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“As we all know from experience, in football, just as in everyday life, when people show you respect and affection and do everything they can to make things easier for you, life is much happier, even when you face difficult moments.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

“I must say that I have had more meetings with the chairman, the president and the general manager this week than I had in three years at Newcastle.<\/p>\n

“They haven’t just been work meetings, rather signs of respect in which we have been able to appreciate the differences and similarities in our cultures.”<\/p>\n

Benitez also opened up on the cultural differences he has faced so far, having found even the smallest tasks challenging after only previously experiencing managerial life in Europe.<\/p>\n