Newcastle United are still looking to secure Rafael Benitez’s future.
Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie has told the Shields Gazette that he doesn’t think the club will need to find a new manager this summer.
The Magpies finished their season with a 4-0 thrashing of Fulham on Sunday afternoon, as Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Perez, Fabian Schar and Salomon Rondon all scored.
Newcastle subsequently finished 13th in the Premier League table, and will be looking to kick on again next season – preferably with Rafael Benitez in charge.
Benitez is out of contract in just a matter of weeks, and Newcastle fans are worried that the Spaniard will end up walking away having made it so close to his deal expiring.
Benitez has been one of Newcastle’s most popular ever managers during his three-year spell at St James’ Park, and links to other managers means there are real fears Benitez will move on.
Winger Ritchie has been linked away himself, with The Sun claiming that he has been told he can leave this summer having had his request for a new contract rejected.
Ritchie has offered his take on Benitez’s future, predicting that he will stay at St James’ Park by suggesting that Newcastle won’t be looking for a new boss, which may give Magpies fans some hope.
“I don’t really want to talk about that, because I don’t think we’re going to,” said Ritchie when asked about how much of a blow Benitez’s exit would be. “I’m optimistic that he will stay. I hope he stays – everyone hopes he stays. There’s no point talking about ifs and buts, as we don’t know yet, let’s just wait and see,” he added.
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