Saturday 29 September 2018 19:46, UK
Rafa Benitez is unaware of any potential Newcastle takeover bid, and was happy to see owner Mike Ashley in attendance for his side's 2-0 loss to Leicester.
Newcastle slumped to a fourth successive home league defeat on Saturday - the first time in their history they have lost four league games in a row at St James' Park - and offered very little as an attacking threat.
Their pre-match preparations were shrouded by talk of a potential takeover bid being launched by former Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon, and the attendance of owner Ashley for the first time in 16 months. Benitez, however, refused to blame either for his side's poor showing.
"Not really [do I know anything about a takeover]," Benitez told Sky Sports. "Before the game I try to concentrate on the game and after the game I have to talk with the media, I have no idea.
"I was just finishing the game and coming here [media interviews], I do not know if he [Ashley] will be around. Like I said before, it is positive, it is always good to see the owner around the team. We have to concentrate on our play on the pitch and that is most important to me."
Newcastle had the better of the early stages at St James' Park and created several promising openings, but they were made to pay for their wastefulness, with goals from Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire giving Leicester the victory that ensured Newcastle remain in the bottom three, without a win this season.
"We had those two chances that could have changed everything," Benitez added. "Then we conceded the penalty and, when we were competing in the second half, we conceded from the corner.
"We have done well, then we make mistakes, and when you concede it is always more difficult for you.
"We knew it could be a difficult game today, but we conceded from a penalty and a corner - this always makes it harder to take. The second goal was a killer."
