---
title: "Benitez calls on fans to back players"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2018/08/24/benitez-calls-on-fans-to-back-players/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2018-08-24T19:35:33Z"
modified: "2018-08-24T19:35:33Z"
---

# Benitez calls on fans to back players

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has claimed that he has ‘a lot of sympathy’ for the club’s fans, but has called on them to continue showing support amid talk of another protest outside St James’ Park.

The Magpies’ fanbase has never seen eye to eye with owner Mike Ashley, but the relationship between owner and supporter is now more fractured than ever, with the anger and tumultuous criticism particularly strong.

Fans chanted ‘we want Ashley out’ before the club’s first game of the season against Tottenham at St James’, and a similar response is expected when the club host Chelsea on Sunday.

![Tony Marshall/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2018/08/1014936720.jpg)

However Benitez has called on fans to focus on the main objective, to back and support the players on the pitch. As reported by [The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/rafa-benitez-newcastle-united-mike-ashley-protest-chelsea-a8506746.html), Benitez said:

> I have a lot of sympathy for our fans because they are really good. They know the club and the city and what it’s like to live here. They know all these things, they would like to see the club doing things in a certain way.

> All I say is when they come to the stadium they have to support the team because it’s the only way for us to be stronger. I have to respect them but concentrate on my job.

Benitez also shot down claims that he had held further discussions over a new deal to tie him to Tyneside, with his current deal set to expire next summer. Benitez continued:

> We will wait and talk about that in the future. My contract is not an issue. We have to concentrate on what is happening on the pitch. We have to try to do our best.