Shearer responds when asked how long Benitez will stay at Newcastle

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Rafa Benitez is now in his third season as manager of Newcastle United.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has told Coral that his former side must keep Rafa Benitez in charge “for a while” if they are to continue to grow as a club.

The future of Benitez has been a topic for plenty of debate, after the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager grew frustrated in the summer at a lack of backing from the Toon hierarchy.

The Spaniard has a contract with the club until the summer of 2019, and has started well this season by guiding Newcastle to eleventh in the Premier League table – despite it be alarmingly obvious that they are lacking in depth.

Shearer told bookmakers Coral via their Facebook Live Channel that he hopes his former side can keep Benitez for as long as possible. He also claimed that if Newcastle avoid relegation, which he expects them to do, it will be because of their manager.

“That’s a very good question,” Shearer said, when asked how long Benitez will remain in charge.

“For a while I hope. I’m sure he’s hoping there is some activity in regards to a takeover, because he himself said he was frustrated because he wasn’t given what he was promised.

“Newcastle have to keep hold of Rafa. With his experience and know how, he understands what team he has. He hasn’t got a team he can towards the top six. It was always going to be a long hard season.

“He will make the difference, if Newcastle are to stay up, which I think they will, it will be because of him.

Benitez will be looking to address a lack of goals in the side ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester United, with the Magpies finding the back of the net just 10 times in 11 Premier League outings so far.

Newcastle face Jose Mourinho’s side at Old Trafford after two straight losses, and the odds are against Benitez’s side with just two wins against United in the last 29 matches between the two sides.