Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez still doesn’t know if he will be in charge of the English Premier League club next season, potentially paving the way for an approach from Celtic, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
The paper say he has been linked with the position at Celtic Park, with Neil Lennon only appointed until the end of the season after the walk out of Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City.
Benitez admits there’s still no update from the decision makers at St James Park about being given a new contract, with his current deal expiring this summer.
Speaking ahead of the Magpies’ match against Southampton on Saturday, the Spaniard told The Scottish Sun:
I finish my contract on June 30. I’m a professional and I have a lot of things I want to do well.
The first one is to win against Southampton in the next game. We know that we have to maybe win another game to make sure everything is fine, and I want to focus on that.
I don’t like to see debates about my contract, players leaving or me talking with anyone. I cannot say to anyone about his future because I don’t know about my future. It’s not my responsibility at the moment.
With no progress on thrashing out a new contract, it leaves the door open for Celtic to make a blockbuster approach at the end of the season.
Benitez would be an elite appointment and likely a popular one with fans, having proved his managerial credentials in the past with Spanish league titles and a UEFA Champions League win with Liverpool.
The 59-year-old looks to be the best available ‘big name’ out there right now.
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