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Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez: I’m not worried about getting the sack

Rafael Benítez remains positive, despite his side's dismal lack of form - Newcastle United
Rafael Benítez remains positive, despite his side's dismal lack of form - Newcastle United

Rafael Benítez insists he has no fear of being sacked as Newcastle United manager because everyone, including owner Mike Ashley, was aware of how difficult this season could be.

Newcastle have failed to win a game and are second from bottom of the Premier League, but the manager is not worried about his short term – or long term – future, despite refusing to sign a contract extension in the summer.

Benítez has rarely sounded as positive as he did on the eve of Newcastle’s home game against Brighton, suggesting that he is happy with the club’s plans for the January transfer window, while emphasising that he is confident the team will manage to avoid relegation.

The Spaniard has not had any conversations with Ashley since the billionaire took the team out for a meal more than a fortnight ago, but said a meeting with managing director Lee Charnley went well this week and that they were pressing ahead with identifying players to sign in the winter window.

“I’m not worried about getting the sack,” said Benítez. “Is it a difficult situation? Yes, because you are at the bottom of the table. Something that we were not expecting? No, we knew it could be.

“You see the fixtures, you see the level of the other teams and you knew we could be there more or less. We have to win one game and it will be a lift for everyone. We know it's like that. I have spoken with Lee this week and we know the situation.

“I have confidence we will do it. It's not just me. My staff is really good, the players are working really well, the experience that we have after so many years, and still we are working harder than anyone.

“I am used to working without a big budget, even at Liverpool, Real Madrid or whatever. You think about my teams: I was never spending big money and still we were achieving something.

“Here, the target now is to stay up, okay? It's a long race, we have to carry on, we have to keep going because if you start thinking, 'Oh, now we have this...'. Just carry on, be perseverant, keep going and then you will get the result that you want.”

Asked about his budget ahead of the window, Benítez said he was not concerned about not being told what it is.

He added: “We have told them we are looking for a certain characteristic of player, or certain positions, they start working on that, and then we have players at different price levels. I will know my budget when we get nearer to January.”