Benitez offers no future guarantees at Newcastle

While admitting it would be “very difficult” for him to leave because of his professionalism and determination to keep the Magpies in the Premier League, Benitez still left room for doubt after being pressed on his future and the club’s transfer policy.

The Newcastle boss maintained his January stance of not wanting to discuss the transfer window in public or to the media because he wants the focus from inside the dressing room to be on delivering positive results.

But he is well aware that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is yet to get a deal over the line for him to sign a new player this month and time is running out for additions to boost the relegation fight.

The collapse of Jordan Lukaku’s proposed loan move from Lazio on Friday was followed by the blow of losing to Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday and those have only heightened frustrations. Supporters are preparing demonstrations and protests at tonight’s visit of Manchester City.

Benitez will hope for transfer progress in the next 48 hours and remains interested in Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron and has been credited with fresh with considering Juventus defender Rodrigo and Benfica’s Andreas Samaris.

The Newcastle manager wants to see signs that the club matches his own ambitions to bring success to St James’ Park before he enters talks over a new contract, knowing his existing deal expires in the summer.

Asked if he will sit down next week to discuss his contract, he said: “Not necessarily next week. It could be any time. It depends on how things are going on.

“I had a conversation with Mike Ashley, Justin Barnes, Keith Bishop (advisors) and Lee Charnley (managing director) the other day. We were talking about everything and now we will see where we are.”

He added: “I cannot guarantee anything. I guarantee I will be focused and try to do my best every minute.”

Benitez faced plenty of questions from the media about his future and asked if he would quit if no players arrived, he said: “We will wait until Thursday and see what happens. Hopefully we can get three points against Manchester City and then everybody will be happy. 

“I came here and I decided to stay in the Championship because I can see the potential of the club. I will try to do my best until the last minute.

“I can see the potential. It doesn’t mean you reach the potential, but I can see the potential. I think (the club can achieve its potential). Short term will be difficult now. Because we only have a few days. But in the future, why not?”

Even though there are fans and pundits questioning whether Benitez will be in the North-East beyond this season, he did stress he is going about his job in a professional manner – and he has never turned his back on a contract previously in his career.

He said: “I decided to stay (after relegation). I had the support of the fans and we were doing well. And I will try to the same, and all these things, until the last minute. And that’s it.

“No (not considering leaving). I am just focused on that, to prepare the game. I was talking to a couple of players before and I will go straight to my office and I will try to prepare the game. It’s what I have to do. What I have to give back to the fans is this: I am a professional, I will work hard and I will try to do my best.”

Newcastle, who have lost Joselu to an ankle injury sustained against Watford, sit a place above the relegation zone ahead of the visit of Premier League champions Manchester City and that is disappointing for a manager looking to progress from a tenth place finish in May.  

“In the beginning, I don’t think it was harder than last season,” he said. “In the second part of last season we did really well and then a lot of people didn’t realise how difficult it was. So this one maybe we can see that it has been quite difficult. 

“It is the time to concentrate on the games. Believe me I can see where you are with your questions and I can see what is going around the fans, but still I have a cold mind, we have to stick together. 

“We have to work hard together and it is the only way, and the best way, if we want to stay in the Premier League. My experience is telling me that when you have anxiety, when you are nervous you start making more mistakes. You have to stay calm.

“Every time we talk with other coaches and other managers they praise our team because it is organised and we know what to do. They say you are lacking this or you are lacking that.

“Then if you talk about the whole season, these things can keep you in the Premier League.

 “We cannot lose our focus and we cannot be complaining about this player or the other one or this decision or the other one or then were will use energy and we need everything got stay up.”

Benitez was also asked repeatedly why supporters should be persuaded to renew their season tickets for next season, he said: “That is not my business. My business is to prepare the team against Manchester City and be sure they can compete until the end of the season.

“I am the manager with the responsibility to get the best from these players, and I will try do that and trying to keep the team in Premier League.”

And whole he is focused on that area, Pep Guardiola is looking for City to keep up the heat on Liverpool by winning at St James’ tonight.

Benitez said: “I think they are really close. Liverpool are quite strong and they have an advantage in that they have not been in this position for a while."