Rafael Benitez has played down his chances of signing a one-year contract extension to stay on as Newcastle manager beyond this season.
The Spaniard is free to walk away from St James' Park in the summer of 2019 when his current deal expires and the two parties appear someway off agreeing on fresh terms.
Benitez is unhappy with the amount of money he has been given to improve their squad since their return to the Premier League in 2017 and is refusing to commit his future until he gets assurances over an increased transfer funds.
Benitez says he would be happy to stay at Newcastle but wants to take a long-term view to his future, revealing he sees little point in penning a 12-month extension.
"We were talking about the situation at this time. After, we were talking about numbers and the possibility of an extension.
"But I don’t think an extension is an excuse for anything.
"If you sign a one-year extension, what does that mean for the players you sign on a five-year contract? It’s nothing. It’s not an issue.”
Having guided Newcastle to a 10th place finish on their return to the Premier League last season, optimism on Tyneside is high for the new campaign, despite a lack of reinforcements.
So far this summer, the ex-Liverpool boss has signed goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and Ki sung-yueng on permanent deals, while Kennedy has returned on a season-long loan after impressing during a six-month spell in the north east last season.
The Magpies are 9/4 to finish in the top half of the table once more, while they are 20/1 for a top-six spot.
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Rafael Benitez has played down his chances of signing a one-year contract extension to stay on as Newcastle manager beyond this season.
The Spaniard is free to walk away from St James' Park in the summer of 2019 when his current deal expires and the two parties appear someway off agreeing on fresh terms.
Benitez is unhappy with the amount of money he has been given to improve their squad since their return to the Premier League in 2017 and is refusing to commit his future until he gets assurances over an increased transfer funds.
Benitez says he would be happy to stay at Newcastle but wants to take a long-term view to his future, revealing he sees little point in penning a 12-month extension.
"We were talking about the situation at this time. After, we were talking about numbers and the possibility of an extension.
"But I don’t think an extension is an excuse for anything.
"If you sign a one-year extension, what does that mean for the players you sign on a five-year contract? It’s nothing. It’s not an issue.”
Having guided Newcastle to a 10th place finish on their return to the Premier League last season, optimism on Tyneside is high for the new campaign, despite a lack of reinforcements.
So far this summer, the ex-Liverpool boss has signed goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and Ki sung-yueng on permanent deals, while Kennedy has returned on a season-long loan after impressing during a six-month spell in the north east last season.
The Magpies are 9/4 to finish in the top half of the table once more, while they are 20/1 for a top-six spot.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com