Rafa Benitez’s long-term future at Newcastle suddenly in doubt

Newcastle United may be forced to look for a new manager at the end of the season with Rafa Benitez seriously considering his long-term future at St. James’ Park after the club’s failings in the January transfer window, reports The Independent.

Benitez signed a three-year deal in the summer after agreeing to take over the role as manager on a permanent basis following the clubs relegation from the Premier League last season.

The Spaniard agreed to stay on with the club after successfully convincing owner Mike Ashley to hand him complete control in the transfer market, which was a huge change from previous regimes in which Ashley has put chief scout Graham Carr in charge of recruitment.

Benitez was also promised a £30m kitty to spend in the summer before the Spaniard also brought in £30m in sales, although none of the money they recouped was hypothecated, which has angered the Newcastle manager.

Not only that, but Newcastle failed to land Benitez’s targets in the January transfer window after they missed out on Everton midfielder James McCarthy and Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend.

Benitez also feels that Carr has now been given greater responsibility once again and that has led to the 56-year-old to consider his long-term position at the club beyond the end of the season after feeling undermined at the club.

The Magpies are currently one point behind Brighton in second in the Championship but are favourites to fill one of the top two spots and secure an immediate return to the Premier League. Newcastle have scored more goals than any other team in the Championship this season (56), while they have also won the most games (19).

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