
Newcastle United have announced that Rafael Benitez will be leaving the club at the end of his contract, which expires on Sunday (June 30th), after the two parties failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension.
Benitez, 59, was appointed in March 2016 in an attempt to keep Newcastle in the Premier League, however, they suffered relegation to the Championship at the end of the 2015/16 season. Benitez, however, was convinced to stay on and signed a new contract at the end of May 2016 - and managed to guide Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first attempt, as they got promoted as winners of the Championship in the 2016/17 season. Benitez has since kept Newcastle in the Premier League despite limited financial backing.
A club statement confirming Benitez's departure read:
"It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael BenÃtez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019.
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.
Rafa’s coaching staff, Paco de MÃguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Pérez and Mikel Antia, will also leave the club on 30th June.
We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved.
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."