"It is 'imperative' that Rafa Benítez stays at St James’ Park. It would have been a disaster if Newcastle had not kept Rafa last summer after they were relegated. He’s a very, very shrewd man, you don’t win the Champions League at Liverpool, and reach another final two years later, if you don’t know your way round a football pitch. The Toon Army and Rafa is a match made in heaven. If he had not stuck around, I’m not sure they would have been anywhere near going straight back up this year, certainly not as close as they are now. He’s a winner and, please God, if they do go up, Rafa will be given the money to establish them in the top half of the Premier League".