Ex-Newcastle United and Liverpool midfielder backs Rafa Benitez to stay - even if club is relegated

The 42-year-old former Liverpool and Newcastle United midfielder says he "wouldn't put it past" Benitez to stay in the North East even if they were playing Championship football next season.

Hamann, who won the Champions League under Benitez at Liverpool, told talkSPORT: "I think Newcastle would love to keep him and I wouldn’t put it past him to stay.

"Obviously he needs to weigh up his options but if there is one club he will go into the Championship with it, it will be Newcastle.

"He has seen in the few weeks he has been there that there is a lot of potential up north and it is a fantastic club.”

Newcastle and Norwich City will both be relegated if Sunderland beat Everton at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.

Hamann added: "Sunderland still has to get a few points, I expect them to beat Spurs, because they have a few players out suspended, and that may still be enough.

"Fingers crossed they do stay up."