Rafa Reveals "Positive" Discussions

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Rafa Benitez has revealed he has had "positive" discussions with managing director Lee Charnley - and hopes to make a decision on his future within the next fortnight.

Benitez leads the Magpies into their final game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur at St. James' Park tomorrow afternoon (3pm kick-off), with his future the subject of speculation.

And the former Real Madrid manager - who has guided United to a five-game unbeaten run - says he is aware of supporters' wishes for him to stay the Club, and says the two parties will "keep talking" about the possibility.

"I am professional, and I've been in this business for a while. I'm the kind of manager that has achieved what I have achieved working very hard. I was not a famous star as a player, so I needed to work very hard," he said.

"I have experienced two promotions with different clubs in Spain - Extremadura and Tenerife - and I have experienced relegation with Extremadura too, and I have won a lot of trophies. I can understand that some people will say 'no, he cannot stay' and some people will say 'he will do it'.

"We have to be calm, we have to be sure that what I want is the same that the fans want. We want a successful team, we want a strong team to get promoted to the Premier League again as soon as possible, and that is the situation now.

"We have to talk, we have more meetings, and then we will see what will happen. But if I am here, and I am discussing these things, it's because in my head it's a chance. It's a good chance, and then we have to keep talking."

On a possible timescale for his decision, he added: "It's difficult to say - it depends on the conversations - but I think that a couple of weeks could be a decent time.

"But in the meantime we have a responsibility and we have been working and preparing the pre-season, and leaving everything ready for the next year.

"We are working as professionals and we are talking, and I think that in a couple of weeks maximum, maybe, we will have an idea."

Benitez has met with Charnley for talks regarding his future this week, and said that further discussions are set to take place.

The Spaniard spoke of his appreciation for the Magpies faithful's backing for him since his arrival in March, and said that - after the Spurs game on the campaign's final day - attentions will turn to working out the best compromise "for everyone".

"We have a good relationship - he is professional and I am professional," said Benitez of Charnley. "We were analysing things that were wrong, and things that could be done in a different way, and that's it - quite positive.

"What we said in this meeting is that we will have more meetings. Again, I will say that it was very positive in terms of the things that we were discussing and I can say to the fans that we will continue.

"(When I decided) to come here, it's because I knew it was a massive club with massive support from the fans, and the players have the level to do well. That was my impression when I came, and I'm really flattered by the fans because they have been amazing, and I know that could be even more positive in the future.

"But at the moment, we have to be sure that we prepare the game tomorrow properly, and after we will try to do the best for everyone - for me, for the Club, for the fans, for everyone here."