With season over, Benitez to hold talks on Newcastle future
LONDON (AP) — Rafael Benitez will hold talks with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley next week to reach a decision over his future after the Premier League season ended with a 4-0 victory over relegated Fulham on Sunday.
Ashley watched from the stands as a noisy contingent of 3,000 traveling fans repeatedly called for Benitez to stay at St James' Park for another year after securing a 13th-place finish.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid coach, however, has suggested any decision to extend his three-season reign will hinge on Ashley's vision for Newcastle and willingness to invest.
"We will have a meeting hopefully next week and we will see where we are," Benitez said. "I can see the potential of this massive club and hopefully we can do things in the way that would be very good for everyone to move forward together.
"I don't want to keep talking. We'll see what happens next week. Mike Ashley came to the changing room after the game to say thank you very much to all of the players."
Goals from Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Perez, Fabian Schar and Salomon Rondon saw Fulham overwhelmed on the counterattack after dominating long spells of possession.
