Newcastle star Matt Ritchie has stressed the importance of Rafael Benitez staying at the club beyond this season.
Benitez has transformed the fortunes of the Magpies this season after a dreadful start, but uncertainty surrounds his future on Tyneside.
Reports suggest the Spaniard is stalling on a new contract and could walk away from St James’ Park at the end of the season.
Ritchie, who has starred in a newly-found wing-back role, believes the club will struggle to find someone who stays so calm under pressure, particularly with everything going on off the pitch.
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Ritchie heaped praise on Benitez
“He’s very good,†the Scot told talkSPORT.
“It’s massive that he does stay now, especially at the moment with the unrest among the fans.
“There’s no better man for the club. He’s seen everything.
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“He’s been everywhere in football. He’s seen the highs and lows and he doesn’t ride with them.
“He’s always in the same mood. That spreads throughout the whole team and the whole club.
“We started really poorly this season and not once did the manager panic.â€
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Matt Ritchie salvaged a point for Newcastle on Saturday
Newcastle’s season has once again been riddled with fans protesting against the ownership of Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley.
And Ritchie admits the unrest has affected the team’s performances.
“I understand the frustrations but, at the same time, it did start to affect the atmosphere around the stadium,” he added.
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“That’s no criticism towards the fans because they’ve been fantastic and I understand the unrest. But support is what the team needs.â€
Ritchie earned a vital point for Newcastle against his former club Bournemouth on Saturday after striking at the death.
The Scotland international helped the Cherries gain promotion to the Premier League in 2015 and turned heads by swapping the top-flight club for the Magpies, who were in the Championship when he completed his move in 2016.
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He admits that while it was the toughest decision of his life, he couldn’t be happier with the way it’s all panned out,” he continued.
“It was pleasing to get the goal but it was a strange feeling after playing for Bournemouth and returning and scoring.
“It was the biggest decision of my life. At the time, I’d been at Bournemouth for four special years.
“From the minute I arrived there – the people, the manager, the players, we had such a special thing there. When I look back now, I look back with such fond memories.
“I thought it was a time when I needed a new challenge. Luckily enough we got promoted and it’s gone to plan.â€
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