Benitez set to replace McClaren?

Rafa Benitez is top of Newcastle United’s shortlist to replace doomed manager Steve McClaren — and he is keen to take over.

Rafa Benitez is top of Newcastle United’s shortlist to replace doomed manager Steve McClaren — and he is keen to take over.

The former Real Madrid boss has been spoken about in depth by the club’s board and they will use intermediaries to gauge his interest.

Benitez is back in the UK at his Wirral family home following his sacking at the Bernabeu in January and, like he did at Chelsea in 2012, could be willing to sign a deal until the end of the season, especially as the Magpies are in serious danger of being relegated. Sources say Benitez is very interested in talking to Newcastle.

More details here as NUFC eye Rafa Benitez with Steve McClaren dead man walkinghttps://t.co/ri6i2wqo61 @MailSport

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) March 8, 2016

It would prove a popular appointment among supporters who want decisive action to prevent the club from dropping down to the Championship for the second time in seven years.

McClaren remains in the dark over his future. He took training yesterday having been left out of a clandestine board meeting in York on Monday, as revealed by Sportsmail.

He is frustrated at having been given no indication about his fate but he expects to be sacked before Monday’s trip to Leicester City. David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers are also options to replace him. – Daily Mail