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Rafa Benitez hands Newcastle a boost by rejecting Southampton job
RAFA BENITEZ has handed Newcastle fans a huge boost amid the Magpies' relegation to the Championship.
Rafa Benitez led Liverpool to their famous comeback Champions League triumph in 2005
The former Liverpool manager arrived at St James' Park on a three-year-deal when he took over from Steve McClaren in March.
But the Spaniard's wily agents inserted a break-clause into the contract which would allow him to leave if Newcastle didn't beat the drop.
And Benitez is reportedly one of a number of candidates Southampton chiefs were interested in speaking to should Koeman move on.
His refusal to entertain talks suggests he may be willing to stay on Tyneside though, and lessens the chances of another red-and-white striped team causing further heartache for the Geordie nation.
However, he also been linked with the Everton, Valencia and Spain jobs.