Rafa Benitez met Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley on Thursday for initial talks over the Spaniard's future, according to Sky sources.
We also understand Benitez is seeking assurances from the club hierarchyLess than 24 hours after United were condemned to life in the Championship by Sunderland's 3-0 win over Everton, Benitez sat down with Charnley at the club's Darsley Park training ground. A supporters group, the Newcastle Fans' Forum, have issued a direct plea to the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss urging him to stay on Tyneside as he prepares for the final match of the season, Tottenham's visit to St James' Park on SundayA statement read:
"Message to Rafa Benitez - whilst we fully accept that the short term prospect of life in the Championship may not be as appealing as other offers that you may be presented with, we can certainly promise you that the potential rewards of the longer term would exceed any position that you consider.The current squad is likely to be shaken-up markedly in the wake of relegation but club officials are adamant that they will decide who stays and who goes - and not the players themselves.
Sunderland emerged victorious against Everton on Wednesday, thus condemning both their fierce north-east rivals and Alex Neil's men to the Championship next season
Newcastle United and Norwich City have both been relegated from the Premier League, following Sunderland's 3-0 win over Everton at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland, who began the evening in 17th place, knew that a win on Wednesday night would condemn their fierce rivals and Alex Neil's side to the Championship next season, and secure their own survival.
Patrick van Aanholt opened the scoring on Wearside before Lamine Kone hit a double as the north-east club sent their neighbours and rivals down on Wednesday, as well as the Canaries.
The Black Cats now sit on 38 points and will have nothing riding on their final game of the season this Sunday, against Watford at Vicarage Road. Norwich defeated Watford 4-2 on the same evening but the result did nothing to save them from the Premier League trapdoor.
Newcastle and Norwich will face Tottenham and Everton respectively on the final day of the season, aware that they have already been relegated, along with Aston Villa.
Rafa Benitez's side had been in the Premier League since the 2010/11 season, after seeing their run of 25 consecutive years in the top flight end the previous term.
Norwich, meanwhile, return to the Championship after just one season back in the elite, along with Aston Villa who were already doomed to the drop.
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