Newcastle Confirms Rafa Benitez's Exit After Contract Talks Fail

Benitez was lauded for his work at the struggling club but won't be brought back for the 2019-20 season.

Newcastle United are now looking for a new manager ahead of the 2019/20 Premier League season after confirming 'with disappointment' that current boss Rafa Benitez will be leaving St. James' Park at the end of the month after failing to agree to an extension to his contract.

Benitez, who has been with the Magpies since 2016 and has guided the club to the Championship title and impressive 10th and 13th place Premier League finishes in difficult circumstances during that time, is officially out of contract on June 30.

Negotiations over extending his deal had been ongoing, but appear now to have failed.

"It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019," a Newcastle statement read.

"We have worked hard to extend Rafa's contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been - and will not be - possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives."

In addition to offering gratitude to Benitez and his support staff 'for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved', Newcastle have confirmed that coaches Paco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Pérez and Mikel Antia will be following their boss out of the club on June 30.

The statement continued, "We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty. The process to appoint a successor will now begin."