Rafa Benitez had change of heart and could stay at Newcastle '“ reports

The Spaniard has a break clause in his three-year contract which would allow him to leave the club at the end of the season if the Magpies drop into the Championship.

And the Daily Mail is today reporting that Benitez is considering staying on Tyneside, even if relegation is confirmed by a Sunderland win over Everton tomorrow.

They report that the 55-year-old has had a change of heart over the last 48 hours after previously accepting he would be leaving at the end of the campaign.

The Gazette reported last month that Newcastle chiefs were hopeful of convincing Benitez to stay, and that the former Real Madrid boss was tempted by getting his teeth into a long-term project.