Chelsea reunion could yet be Benitez’s last game as Newcastle manager

The future of Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is still up in the air ahead of crucial talks with owner Mike Ashley following the club’s final game of the season against Chelsea, The Mirror reports.

The former Liverpool and Blues boss is adored by the Toon Army supporters and is still thought to be keen to stay in the North East but wants guarantees over the summer spending and improvements to be made in the facilities at the club.

The 58-year-old secured survival with weeks to spare in the Premier League and could steer Newcastle to a top half finish, with no shortage of potential suitors should Ashley fail to match his ambitions.

Benitez would like greater control over the decisions in the upcoming transfer window to strengthen his squad and without it could cut short his time at St. James’, with his current deal set to expire next year.

The manager told the press ahead of Sunday’s clash with his old employers, “First, we are still talking. I still have a contract, that is positive. We will wait to see what we get. The question is what we can achieve.

“This club has to be in the top 10. How? We have to do a lot of things right and to start making the right decisions now.”

Despite four consecutive defeats Newcastle are currently in the top half ahead of the visit of a Chelsea side that will have the upcoming FA Cup final in mind.