Rafa Toon talks

NEWCASTLE UNITED have opened talks with Rafa Benitez in a bid to persuade him to stay on as manager.

Managing director Lee Charnley met with him yesterday and further discussions are planned.

Newcastle were relegated on Wednesday and Benitez has a break clause in his three-year contract that allows him to walk away.

But the club have agreed to carry on paying his £5million salary, with fans set to show their support at Sunday’s final game with Tottenham.