Newcastle United FC latest: Joey Barton expects Rafa Benitez to be ‘gone by Christmas’

Joey Barton believes Rafa Benitez will be gone as Newcastle boss by Christmas.

The Toon began the season with a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham and Benitez is known to be unhappy about a lack of spending in the transfer market this summer.

Club owner Mike Ashley gave a rare interview at the weekend when he admitted he cannot and will not compete with “countries” - his view on the way clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain are financed.

And former St James’ Park midfielder Barton believes that will inevitably lead to a parting of the ways.

He said on Kick Off: “Newcastle is a great club, but the owner causes a lot of problems. It’s his way or the highway. I can’t see Benitez staying there until Christmas.

“Ashley’s interview on TV was silly because it draws everybody in and makes it  a soap opera because Rafa has to responded and has to take a side.

“I believe Benitez wants to go. His body language says Ashley has not come through with what he wanted this summer, and that means he feels he won’t have the opportunity to establish Newcastle in the top half of the Premier League.

“It ends one of two ways - either the owner leaves and gets the money he wants for the club, or the manager will go because he won’t give him the finances he feels is necessary to compete in the Premier League.

“Mike [Ashley] got had over when he bought the club. He overpaid for the club and, since he realised that, it’s been an exercise to get that money back. He’s in for more money than he probably wants to be but, if he’s going to get some of that money back, he’ll have to do it in the Premier League.

“So advertise that the club is for sale. They’re in the Premier League, and they’ve got a top manager in Benitez.

“So pack your bags, move on and sell to someone who wants to take the club to the next level.”