Rafa Benitez meets Mike Ashley for talks after Newcastle's season-ending win

Rafa Benitez met Mike Ashley for the first time after relegated Newcastle United's 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Rafa BenitezRafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez

Benitez this week held talks with managing director Lee Charnley over staying on for the Championship next season.

And the 56-year-old met owner Ashley, attending his first home game of the season, after the match at St James's Park this afternoon.

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Newcastle fans had made their feelings for Benitez clear during the game.

There were chants of "Rafa Benitez, we want you to stay" and "Rafa is a Geordie" during the game.

Benitez expects to make a decision in the next fortnight.

“I said before the game that I am really pleased with the fans, the staff, and people here,” Benitez told BBC Sport.

Mike Ashley and Lee CharnleyMike Ashley and Lee Charnley
Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley

“My heart is telling me yes (to stay), it is a great opportunity, city and club, but my brain is saying to analyse what is going on.

“I am really open to talking and see what happens.

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"I have been in football all this time you want to be sure people love you, and if you work hard that, they recognise that you are trying your best and I have this here.

“I knew that every day when I walk in the streets. Everyone is so positive and the atmosphere today doesn’t surprise me too much.

“They were supporting for 90 minutes, I knew it would be like this and that is why I am so open to keep on talking."