New deal or not, Mags boss keeps cool
Rafael Benitez remains relaxed over his future at Newcastle amid speculation that the club wants to tie him down with a new contract.
The 57-year-old did not attempt to hide his frustration at the Magpies’ summer transfer dealings, which left his squad short of the depth for which he was hoping.
That prompted repeated claims that he was ready to walk out amid links with West Ham as Slaven Bilic came under intense pressure.
Benitez was coy over suggestions owner Mike Ashley had invited him to dinner to discuss the future, but insists he remains happy where he is.
He said: “We have had some conversations internally. We’ll see what we do with them. But it’s not a big issue. I don’t have a problem with Mike.
“The question is where we are, where we want to be and what we have to do to be there. “It [the contract] is not an issue. It’s not something that will change my approach, or that I will be more comfortable if I sign a 20-yearold contract. It doesn’t change my approach for the next game. “Are we working for the January transfer window? Yes, we are already working on that. Like the majority of the teams, we are monitoring players and that is the main thing. There will be a time, maybe next month, maybe next week, maybe in two months, when we will have another conversation and we will talk about that.”
Benitez’s men host Liverpool tomorrow (1.30pm). Aleksandar Mitrovic is available after his ban, while Florian Lejeune is in contention after shaking off an ankle injury.