Kevin Keegan's devastating prediction comes true on a disastrous day for NUFC
“The club can never go anywhere under Mike Ashley – I promise you that."
They were Kevin Keegan's words about the Newcastle United owner back in 2010 - and, almost 9 years on, his famous quote has proved to be absolutely true once again.
Rafa Benitez was the best thing that had happened to Newcastle United during Ashley's miserable 12 years at the club, but he's still found a way to let it all end in tears, allowing a world class manager who WANTED to stay to walk away.
The quote below from King Kev never felt so relevant as it does today. This club really will go nowhere for as long as Mike Ashley is in charge.
Mike Ashley has not only allowed us to suffer two relegations, but he's now completely disrespected and dispatched our greatest goalscorer in Alan Shearer, a club legend in Kevin Keegan and the greatest manager we've had since Sir Bobby in Rafa Benitez.
If Mike Ashley couldn't appreciate what he had in Rafa Benitez and wasn't willing to compromise to keep him, then when will he ever learn? The fact is he won't - with Rafa leaving without much of a fight from NUFC proving that.
The club will claim they 'tried', but the fact they've announced 'nothing can be agreed' several days before his contract was due to expire sums it up.
What's more, we're now being linked with the likes of Avram Grant and Anthony Hudson (a failed MLS coach) as potential replacements.
Newcastle United isn't a football club to Mike Ashley. It's a cash cow he'll milk for all it's worth. He treats it like a business and won't change for no one - no matter how many people he hurts in the process.
One man isn't bigger than Newcastle United, but this club will remain dormant until he has gone, with the fans being the only thing ready to erupt at this stage.
I just hope the damage hasn't been done by the time a takeover finally happens - whether it be in 2 months or 2 years time.
