Benitez will not begin talks over Newcastle contract until relegation is impossible

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Rafa Benitez will not start talks over a new contract at Newcastle United until the club is mathematically safe from relegation, according to the Chronicle.

They report that the Magpies have an offer on the table for the Spanish coach, but he remains relaxed and in no rush to sign anything.

His focus is reportedly squarely on ensuring Premier League football remains in the north east for another season, and the point when relegation becomes a mathematical impossibility is when he will settle down for talks over a new deal.

Newcastle are reportedly pushing for an answer from their manager, but it’s understandable that he would want to know which division the club will be in next season before deciding.

Benitez will likely seek assurances from Mike Ashley before putting pen to paper but that’s a more complex exercise, with less guarantees.

What Benitez can control is whether the club remains a top flight side next season and thanks to the impressive brand of football he has built since the turn of the year, it looks likely that they will be.

With more signings like Miguel Almiron, Newcastle could shunt themselves up the league but Ashley has long been content to take survival and the millions that comes with it.