Newcastle United have failed to agree a new contract with manager Rafael Benitez, so the Spaniard will be leaving the club when his deal runs out at the end of June. The fans were still hoping that the club would manage to hold on to Benitez, but the Spaniard probably wanted to get away from all the uncertainty at St. James' Park. Benitez has been in charge at Newcastle for the past three seasons, leading the Magpies back to the Premier League and establishing them once again as a top-flight side.
The club made the announcement through a statement on their website: "It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019. We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been - and will not be - possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives. Rafa’s coaching staff, Paco de Miguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia, will also leave the club on 30th June. We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved. We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty. The process to appoint a successor will now begin."
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is still looking to sell the club, so probably that was the main reason behind the Spanish manager's decision to leave. Sheikh Khaled and the Bin Zayed Group have declared their interest in taking over the club, but so far there hasn't been a breakthrough in the negotiations between the buyers and Mike Ashley. Rafael Benitez was linked with a lucrative contract in China, where Super League side Dalian Yifang are said to be expecting him.
Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is 5/1 at Betway to become the next Newcastle boss, while former Birmingham City manager Garry Monk is 13/2 to take the job. Even former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been linked with the Newcastle job vacancy, he is 33/1 to get the job.
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