Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has called on the club to match his lofty ambitions as he prepares to enter contract negotiations with owner Mike Ashley.
Benitez has all but guided the Magpies clear of relegation this season with their blistering form in recent months taking them into the top half of the table.
The Spaniard has one year left on his current deal at St. James’ Park but it is widely expected that he will be offered a new contract this summer as the club look to tie him down long-term.
As quoted by the Chronicle, Benitez has now laid out his ambitions clearly, and called on the club to match his goals as they negotiate a new deal.
“Yeah we can start looking early. We have to start talking about ideas for the future. But first of all we need to know how much money is available, and then the prices of players. It depends on the ambitions of the club.
“Me and the club have to be on the same page. They know my idea, we know what every single fan is expecting, and we have to show we can do that. I want to be in at least the top 10 and then win trophies, be it the FA Cup, the League Cup or Europa League.
“The situation is clear for me, I can feel the passion and ambitions of the fans. Now I just need to know the club match my ambitions too. I’d like to speak to them about that as soon as possible,” said Benitez.
Newcastle currently sit in tenth in the Premier League table, with a win over Arsenal last weekend taking them past the magical 40-point mark after 34 games.
OPINION
Newcastle’s number one priority this summer must be to tie Benitez down to a new deal. The Spaniard is key to the future of the club, and if he leaves then the Magpies may be in trouble again. His experience and know-how is unrivalled among recent Newcastle managers, and if there was ever a man to restore the club to former glories then it is him. He obviously wants to stay at the club too, but the issue here will be whether Ashley heeds his call to match his ambitions, with the Newcastle owner’s priorities highly questionable.