Newcastle United CONFIRM Rafa Benitez's exit in shock update

The club today revealed that it had failed to agree a new deal with its manager.

And Benitez, hugely popular on Tyneside, will formally leave the club on June 30 when his contract expires. The 59-year-old’s backroom team will also leave at the end of the month.

Benitez had met club owner Mike Ashley in London for talks last month, but he didn’t get the assurances he was looking for over investment and ambition. 

A statement read: “It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019. We have worked hard to extend Rafa’s contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been – and will not be – possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives.

“Rafa’s coaching staff, Paco de Miguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia, will also leave the club on 30th June.

“We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved.

“We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty. The process to appoint a successor will now begin.”

The news come amid uncertainly over the ownership of the for-sale club, which is the subject of interest from the Dubai-based Bin Zayed Group.