Ex-Newcastle boss Ruud Gullit defends Rafa Benitez over Chelsea tactics

Ruud Gullit says Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez’s tactics were “legitimate” against Chelsea considering the circumstances.

The Magpies, who have one point following their opening three Premier League matches, lost 2-1 at St James’ Park to Maurizio Sarri’s men.

During the contest, and post-match, many were questioning why Benitez had Newcastle lined up in a 5-4-1 formation but former Toon manager Gullit sympathises with the Spaniard.

“Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez’s tactics – with a five-man defence and no real ambition to get forward – was criticised by some,” he told the BBC.

“If, as a team, you believe you can match up against the opposition and hold your own, you will hate playing that system. You can only get that buy-in from your players if they understand that the opposition is so much better individually, that they have to really scrap and fight to take even a point.

“Given the circumstances, with Newcastle missing key players like Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles, it was a legitimate tactic.

“But, giving up that much possession and position on the pitch, you leave yourself at the mercy of a marginal call like the penalty or a slice of luck like DeAndre Yedlin’s late own goal.”

Rafa on the Tyne

Benitez joined the Magpies in March 2016, succeeding Steve McClaren, but could not prevent them from suffering a second relegation from the Premier League.

He did, however, bring them back up from the Championship as league winners and has to date overseen 106 matches as Newcastle boss winning 49 (46.2%) and losing 36 times (33.9%) in the process seeing his team register 162 goals (1.53) though conceding 61.

An experienced Premier League coach, with his best finish being when he guided Liverpool to a runners-up spot in 2009, next up for the Spaniard and Newcastle in the league is a trip to champions Manchester City on Saturday.

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