It has been confirmed that Rafa Benitez will not be at the helm at Newcastle United next season as Mike Ashley will not be giving him a new deal.
Rafa Benitez took charge of the Magpies back in 2016 after moving out of Real Madrid and during the past three seasons, the manager has done a very good job at St James’ Park.
But with his current deal expiring at the end of this month, everyone was certain that the club would provide him with a new deal.
That though will not be the case after it was revealed by the club that Rafa Benitez will be leaving the club once his contract expires.
“It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on June 30th 2019,” Newcastle United said in an official statement.
“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,”
And ever since this statement was released former Man United boss Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with the job.
It is being claimed that Mourinho could be approached to replace Rafa Benitez at St James’ Park during the summer.
But now the Portuguese boss has made it clear that he is not interested in the job because their interests do not line up.
“The only thing that I know is what I don’t want: I am quite pathological in the sense of I have to play to win,” he said.
“Then, if I don’t win, then that’s my problem and the players and the club and the structure, but I need a project where the feeling is I play to win.
“If somebody gives me a wonderful 10-year contract and the objective of the team is to stay in the first half of the table and if you finish seventh, eighth or ninth, it’s perfect, then that’s not for me. That’s my nature. My next (goal) is to fight to win.”
