Daily Star Sunday

Rafa plans for future

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RAFA BENITEZ insists he is not thinking of managing any other club next season – but the ball is in owner Mike Ashley’s court to keep him at St James’ Park

The Toon boss has given the Geordies hope he could stay on after his contract ends in June. The Spaniard has expressed his happiness with his job on Tyneside, saying he loves the fans and the task at hand, and reckons Newcastle are “so close”.

The Magpies face Burnley tomorrow looking for a third consecutiv­e Premier League win, with Benitez urging them to push on.

With the clock ticking on his current £6million-a-year deal, Benitez said: “My position is very clear. If you can see the club progressin­g it would be easier, because I am happy here.

“The fans support the football every weekend, at the training ground the atmosphere is very good.”

Asked if he was considerin­g his next move away from Tyneside, he said: “No. At the moment I want to make sure that we concentrat­e on games, one game at a time, and see what we can do in January.”

Benitez, who has been courted by a host of clubs but would command a £6m transfer fee until his deal expires, said: “We have to go to January and be sure we do the right things, and consider the future afterwards.

“I say always it is a massive club with

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