Fans respect what I am doing here and see my plan

SUPPORTERS APPRECIATE AMBITION WE HAVE FOR CLUB: BOSS

RAFA Benitez believes Newcastle United fans can understand why he is yet to pen a new contract – even as the Spaniard enters the last few months of his current deal. The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss has previously stated he would stay on Tyneside for 10 years if the contract offer is right and feels sticking with the club after relegation in 2016 should be the biggest indication of all – to both supporters and Toon chiefs Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley – he is happy to stay at St James’ Park beyond his current deal. Benitez’s reasons for not signing a new deal last year were not down to salary demands - they were because the club did not sanction his proposal to make changes at the academy and to the club’s recruitment system. When asked about his future, with his current contract due to expire in May, the 58-year-old said: “I think our fans are quite clever.

“I decided to stay when I came here and I thought we could save the team, but we couldn’t.

“I then decided to stay in the Championship so they know about my past, about my history.

“They appreciate that, and then we won, which is football.

“Even if you have a good CV, you still have to win and we did it – we won the Championship.”

Benitez has already attracted interest from China, Spain and Italy ahead of next season but is focused on securing Newcastle’s Premier League status.

He insisted he is committed to the Magpies and thinks that is another reason the club’s supporters have stood by him - even during bad patches.

The Spaniard added: “Not too many managers go from Italy, Spain