Newcastle United say manager Rafael Benitez will leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June 2019
The Magpies finished 13th in
the Premier League last season as Spaniard Benitez, who took over in March
2016, secured the club's top-flight status.
"We have worked hard to extend Rafa's contract over a
significant period of time," said a Newcastle statement.
"However, it has not been - and will not be - possible to
reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives."
The statement added: "The process to appoint a successor
will now begin."
There has been continued speculation about his future prior to
the club announcing his departure, with Benitez receiving a
£12m-a-year offer to
take over as manager at Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.
Former Valencia, Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Benitez's
coaching staff of Paco de MÃguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia
will also leave the club on 30 June.
Newcastle appointed Benitez as successor to Steve McClaren with
the club one point from Premier League safety with 10 games left in the
2015-2016 campaign.
The 59-year-old could not prevent the St James' Park club from
being relegated but they won the 2016-17 Championship title to secure an
immediate return.
Newcastle finished 10th in their first season back in the
Premier League and 13th last season.
"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," the statement added.
"We would also like to thank our supporters, players and
staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty."
There has been talk of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley being in
talks to sell the club to United Arab Emirates billionaire
Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan's investment group this summer.
BBC Sport understands Benitez's departure does not affect the
proposed takeover.
Former Swansea boss Garry Monk and current Manchester City
assistant manager Mikel Arteta are among the early favourites to replace
Benitez, while one bookmaker has already paid out on Newcastle to be relegated
next season.
Newcastle
United's supporters will feel devastated and betrayed once more after
confirmation that Rafael Benitez is leaving St James' Park.
The gap
between Benitez's demands on control, budget, transfer strategy and
infrastructure and owner Mike Ashley's strict policy on the running of the club
simply could not be bridged, as seemed increasingly obvious in the final weeks
of the season.
In many
respects this is a battle no-one wins.
Benitez will
currently struggle to find a club that fits his stature as a Champions League
winner with Liverpool, a Europa League winner with Chelsea and a manager
treated as the saviour of Newcastle United by supporters who revered the
Spaniard.
He has a
lucrative offer on the table from Chinese Super League Club Dalian Yifang - but
is this really what he has in mind at this stage of his career?
Ashley will
not win as it seems impossible he will find a successor who comes anywhere near
Benitez's success, experience and expertise - although this may not concern him
as his sole victory is seemingly keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League
until the club can be sold.
And,
once again, the biggest losers will be the long-suffering fans of Newcastle
United as they lose a manager they loved and see their club
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