Friday 5 May 2017 17:13, UK
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is set for crucial talks with owner Mike Ashley next week, which he says will determine his future and that of everyone at the club.
Having guided Newcastle back to the Premier League, Benitez denies that he has issued an ultimatum regarding the amount of money he requires to be made available for transfers.
The Magpies have already secured their return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and could win the Championship title if they can better Brighton's result on Sunday.
However, it is not certain that Benitez will be back at St James' Park for the 2017/18 season and he says everything hinges on his discussions with Ashley.
Asked on Friday if he had met the owner yet to resolve his future, Benitez said: "Not yet. Hopefully next week we will talk about that.
"It's not just my future, but the future of everyone here depends on this conversation. All the players are waiting.
"All the speculation about players, about money, are not true. We have to wait and have the meeting and see where we are. Then we will start talking with the players about their future."
Benitez said that the meeting will not consist of him issuing demands but implied that he will be looking to see if himself and Ashley are on the same page in terms of the development of the club.
"I have seen figures in the press saying 'Rafa is asking for this and that'," he said.
"We are preparing an idea but I will not be asking for money.
"What I expect from the meeting is to talk about my ideas, their ideas, and see where we are. If we are close or could we be closer.
"But I am not demanding this and demanding that."
