Jose Mourinho reveals why the Newcastle United job under Mike Ashley isn't for him

Mourinho is among the early favourites with bookmakers to succeed Rafa Benitez as Newcastle United manager.

However, the 56-year-old would not consider taking a job at a club where a top-half finish was seen as a successful season by its owner.

"The only thing that I know is what I don't want," Mourinho told The Coaches' Voice. “I’m quite pathological in the sense of I have to play to win.

“If somebody gives me a wonderful 10-year contract, and the objective of the team is to stay in the first half of the table, and if you finish seventh, eighth or ninth, it's perfect, then that's not for me. That's my nature.

"My next (position) is to fight to win".

Meanwhile, Federico Fernandez has deleted a tweet which said Rafa Benitez “deserved” a better end to his time at Newcastle.

Fernandez, signed from Swansea City last summer, was one of the first players to react to the news that manager Benitez would leave the club when his contract expires on Sunday.

The defender said on Twitter: "Thanks Rafa. I think you and the staff deserved a different way to end your time as a Newcastle manager. All the people around Newcastle love you. All the best for the future."

Fernandez’s tweet was shared by fans angry at the club’s failure to secure Benitez on a new deal. Supporters also posted messages of support.

However, the 30-year-old has since deleted the tweet.