Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has told the club that he has no intentions of leaving this summer as the two parties hold crucial talks over the future of both him and the Magpies, according to a report.
The Chronicle claim on their website that the Spanish boss has been sitting down with discussions with managing director Lee Charnley and that talks between the pair, which have focused on both the summer transfer window and getting the former Liverpool man a new contract, have been positive.
It is said that owner Mike Ashley, who is known for running the Magpies on a shoestring budget, especially when it comes to transfers, has made a u-turn and will be handing the boss a “competitive” budget for the summer, which will be boosted by player sales.
The report claims that sorting out Benitez’s future is top priority for the club, with just a year left on his current deal.
OPINION
It is about time that the Magpies saw some sense and really knuckled down on getting Benitez to commit his long-term future at St James’ Park. He is perhaps the best thing ever to happen to the club over the last decade and the fact there is any sort of talk of him leaving shows how underappreciated he has been by those at the top. Still, the Toon Army adore him and it seems Ashley and his team are starting to realise the sort of backlash they would get were he to leave. It is great news for Newcastle that the Spaniard will be at St James’ Park next season but the fans will be hoping for more than just another 12 months with him in charge. What Ashley has to do is give him what he wants, which is probably actually not that much considering his history elsewhere, and the supporters, as well as Benitez, will be kept happy.