Newcastle have confirmed manager Rafael Benitez will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the month. Benitez had been locked in contract talks with the Magpies since the end of last season but the two parties have been unable to agree terms, which means the Spaniard will be leaving St James’ Park on June 30.
The 59-year-old had been in charge on Tyneside since March 2016 and although he wasn’t able to prevent the club from suffering relegation during his first season at the helm, he did mastermind their return to the Premier League and has helped re-establish them as a top-flight club.
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However, Benitez’s future has seemingly been a source of speculation ever since he arrived at Newcastle, with the former Liverpool boss having endured a strained relationship with owner Mike Ashley, stemming mainly from a lack of transfer funds being made available.
That has seemingly played a key role in Benitez’s departure, with the club confirming the news on Monday. “It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benítez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019,” the club confirmed.
Benitez has previously stated his desire to remain in England and continue working in the Premier League although he has recently been linked with a move to China, with Dalian Yifang reportedly willing to offer him a multi-million-pound contract.
