Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley held face-to-face talks over dinner but the Newcastle owner then appeared to give a two-fingered V sign to supporters as he left the restaurant.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Monday that Ashley was travelling to Tyneside to take Benitez, his staff and the squad out for an Italian meal amid concern over their winless start to the season.
Supporters angry at his running of the club soon gathered outside Rialto in Ponteland on Wednesday evening and they chanted 'Where's the money gone?' as the sports retail tycoon was escorted into a people-carrier by police and security staff three hours after arriving.
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley pictured leaving the restaurant after the team dinner
The owner appeared to give a two-fingered V sign to supporters as he left the restaurant
Ashley is surrounded by journalists as he climbs into his vehicle on Wednesday evening
Newcastle United fans had arrived with protest banners by the time the meal ended
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez leaves the restaurant following the meal on Wednesday
Benitez agress to take a photo with one Newcastle United fan as crowds gather outside
However, footage then appears to show Ashley showing two fingers to protesters as he is driven away. Benitez had left 20 minutes earlier and was serenaded by those same fans.
A spokesman for Mr Ashley said: 'Mike did not give a V sign to fans. It is obvious from the accompanying photos that he is smiling and enjoying the evening. Anybody who saw Match of the Day at the weekend will also be aware that Mike is actually very respectful in his reactions to fans.'
This is just the fourth time in two-and-a-half years that the pair have met and comes after Ashley returned to St James' Park for the first time in 16 months on Saturday.
It is understood he was worried by what he saw on the pitch during the 2-0 defeat to Leicester and sent a message to the dressing-room afterwards saying that he wanted to arrange a meal in an effort to build relations and raise morale.
Managing director Lee Charnley has been working behind the scenes to bring Ashley and Benitez closer together and we understand that the trio were seated next to each other on the first floor of the popular Northumberland eatery.
Both Benitez and Ashley were dropped off in the same silver people carrier - 20 minutes apart - while the players arrived in their own cars, although they were 15 minutes late for the £5.95 happy hour.
The Spaniard's contract expires next summer and he refused to sign an extension during the close-season because Ashley would not make guarantees over transfer budget and improvements to the training ground and academy.
Sportsmail's Craig Hope's picture of the special offer the Newcastle party just missed out on
Ashley expected to foot the bill in a peace offering to the Newcastle management and players
Newcastle boss Benitez arrives for the anticipated team meal on Wednesday evening
Newcastle owner Ashley (left) is guarded as he walks into the restaurant on Wednesday
Season at a glance
- Premier League
- Premier League
- Championship
- League One
- League Two
- Scottish Premiership
- Scottish Div 1
- Scottish Div 2
- Scottish Div 3
- Ligue 1
- Serie A
- La Liga
- Bundesliga
It left the pair at a stand-off and the club returned a £21million profit on transfers, much to the annoyance of the manager who has warned that relegation is a possibility.
They have taken just two points from seven matches so far this campaign and Ashley is said to be alarmed at the prospect of a third relegation since he bought the club in 2007.
There was also a close-season dispute over player bonuses for a second year running and, after intervening to resolve the issue, we understand that Ashley has kept open a line of communication with captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Wednesday's dinner comes against the backdrop of fresh takeover talk with former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon looking for investors.
We understand he has approached Ashley's lawyers - who confirmed the club is for sale - but was told to return with an offer rather than quote him an asking price.
Any proposed takeover, then, would appear a long way off and Newcastle's best chance of a revival is Ashley doing all he can to keep happy a manager he is lucky to have.
That starts with the pair breaking bread over pizza and pasta.
Newcsatle star Kenedy arrives at the restaurant in Northumberland ahead of the dinner
Kenedy was one of the first to arrive at the restaurant ahead of Wednesday evening's meal
Rob Elliot (left) and Mohamed Diame are pictured walking to the restaurant on Wednesday
https://hienalouca.com/2018/10/04/newcastle-chief-mike-ashley-appears-to-swear-at-fans-after-team-meal/
Main photo article Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley held face-to-face talks over dinner but the Newcastle owner then appeared to give a two-fingered V sign to supporters as he left the restaurant.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Monday that Ashley was travelling to Tyneside to take Benitez, his staff and the squad...
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Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1/2018/10/03/23/4747184-6236959-image-m-132_1538604264410.jpg
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