Italian manager responds amid recent links to Newcastle job

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AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso has addressed recent speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle United.

The Italian has been linked with the Magpies job with Rafa Benitez having still not signed a contract extension at St. James’ Park.

The Spaniard has been in talks with club officials for some time and is said to be seeking more control over transfers this summer and financial reassurance.

Reports in Italy claimed that Gattuso had met with agent Jorge Mendes to discuss a possible move to Newcastle to replace the potentially outgoing Benitez. But the former Azzurri midfielder has poured cold water on the links.

He told Rai Sport (via Omnisport): “With Mendes we often see each other. I like good food and talking about football.

“Newcastle? Unfounded rumours. I repeat, with Mendes there is only one great friendship.”

TBR’s view

Newcastle need to make sure they get Benitez to commit as he has massively overachieved given the resources available to him since joining in 2016.

If Benitez departed this summer it would be a disaster for the club, and potentially even more so if club officials replaced him with livewire Gattuso.

His job may not be safe if Milan don’t secure Champions League qualification and it would be interesting to see if Newcastle did go after him if he became available and Benitez had left.

But fans should be pleased he has dispelled the rumours for now, as he is still massively inexperienced at managerial level.