According to an interview he has conducted with The Telegraph, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez will decide on his future at the end of the season and has conflicting thoughts on whether he would like to stay with the club or not.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Telegraph says that the Spaniard, who has one year left on his current deal with the Tyneside outfit, is extremely happy with the backing from the supporters and is excited about trying to lead the Magpies back to European football if he keeps them up this season.

However, the 57-year-old feels that he hasn't been supported well by Mike Ashley over the course of the previous three transfer windows, both in terms of investment and judgment on players.

The report adds that Ashley will likely have to prove his ambition to Benitez in order for him to commit his future to the club for the long-term, and that is something the fans will be desperate for considering how much they love the former Liverpool and Real Madrid chief.

How has Benitez done this season?

Given that he perhaps didn't get the players that he wanted last summer and in January, you have to be impressed with how Newcastle have fared this season.

While their survival is far from guaranteed with just eight matches left of the season to play – they currently lie four points above the relegation zone – they will be well aware that another eight will be enough to help them reach the magic 40-point mark that should secure their top flight spot for another year, and that they may not even need that many.

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Successive home wins against Manchester United and Southampton have been crucial following a disappointing mid-season run, and they have a great chance to make it three in a row when they host another struggler in Huddersfield Town on March 31.

Will he stay?

If Newcastle do end up getting relegated it will certainly be interesting to see what would happen, but while the club would be keen to keep him following their Championship title win last term, it remains to be seen whether the ambitious Spaniard would be willing to spend another year of his managerial career in England's second tier.

If they stay up, Ashley or a prospective new owner if a takeover could still be on the cards, must convince Benitez that his ambitions can be matched by staying at St James' Park.