Rafa Benitez says Newcastle United are the only club he is in talks with and has ruled out a Napoli return.
Rafa Benitez has spoken publicly about his future as Newcastle United manager amid speculation the Spaniard will be leaving the club.
As the Chronicle reports, Everton, Leicester City and former club Napoli have all been linked with appoining Benitez, but the latter at least are not in the 58-year-old’s thoughts.
“My future? I’ve heard so much talk, but I haven’t spoken to [Napoli chairman] Aurelio de Laurentiis: I have a contract with Newcastle, I’m talking to them about my renewal,” he told CalcioNapoli24.
“They made me some offers to stay here for a few more years, plus I have to manage my family: if I decided to go to Newcastle and stay there, even in the Championship, it’s also because of my family.
“My priority is to stay in England. I’m only talking to Newcastle right now.”
This should be greeted in positive fashion by Magpies fans, who have seen Benitez guide their team to tenth in the Premier League in their first season after winning the Championship.
This is despite the fact the Toon boss has been working with a restricted budget, but owner Mike Ashley has publicly pledged his financial support to the former Chelsea and Liverpool chief ahead of next season.
“Rafa, as always, has my full support and, contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him,” Ashley told the official website.
“I hope very much that Rafa will remain at Newcastle United”
Benitez is currently in talks with managing director Lee Charnley about a new contract, with his current deal on Tyneside expiring in 2019.
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