Wednesday 10 May 2017 18:06, UK
Rafa Benitez will head into a meeting with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley next week, hoping they have the same ambition for the Sky Bet Championship title winners.
The Magpies clinched the crown in a dramatic late twist on the final day of the season to leave the Spaniard, who could not prevent them from slipping out of the Premier League 12 months ago, having added silverware to the minimum requirement of promotion.
Benitez signed a three-year contract when he agreed to stay at St James' Park in May last year but has hinted his continued presence could depend on what Ashley has to say about the future, although he is hopeful of a positive outcome.
Speaking after his side's 3-0 home victory over Barnsley, he said: "I already have an idea, I think he has an idea. Now we have to put both ideas together and hopefully it will be fine this week."
Ashley made a rare visit to St James' on Sunday afternoon to witness the scenes as the win, coupled with Brighton's failure to collect three points at Aston Villa, handed Newcastle the trophy.
Asked if the pair would talk during the hours after the game, Benitez said: "I don't know if he will be around, but I don't have any problem. Obviously I think it's the right time to talk when everything is fine and if not, it doesn't matter.
"We will be in contact, but the main thing is to be sure we both share the same ambition about how to improve, how to be competitive and how to do the right things for everyone."
It is the second time in seven years that the Magpies have bounced back as champions in the wake of relegation, and handed Benitez a first league title - admittedly in a lower division - since he guided Valencia to La Liga glory in 2004.
He said: "Sometimes you can win with a very good team and it seems that it's easy but in this case, when you play 46 games in a very difficult season after going down...
"We were talking about the stats for teams which have been relegated, so to do it and to do it in style today and the way that we did during the whole season, that is really, really emotional and I am really proud of that."
