According to reports in the Daily Mail, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has no intention of leaving the Championship leaders for West Ham United this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Irons manager Slaven Bilic is under pressure following a difficult campaign – the club has struggled to adapt to the London Stadium following their move from the Boleyn Ground, while there have been a number of disappointing performances and results in both the Premier League, and the domestic cup competitions.

The Hammers have also lost their last three top flight matches and joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are said to be demanding a top ten finish this season according to The Sun, otherwise the Croatian will be sacked at the end of the season.

While Benitez is understood to be one of their top targets should Bilic go, they may have to look elsewhere with the Spaniard not said to be keen on leaving St James’ Park.

How big a boost is that for Newcastle?

It's a huge boost.

The Spaniard has managed the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Napoli during his managerial career and he will have the pulling power to bring in good players to the club should they seal their return to the top flight in the coming weeks.

Why would he not want to join the Hammers?

Benitez is close to leading Newcastle United to an instant return to the Premier League as they currently lie top of the Championship standings, and with backing from owner Mike Ashley and a passionate St James’ Park crowd behind him, he may feel that there is more potential with the Magpies as he looks to finish the job he started.

What happens if they don’t get promoted?

While it seems unlikely right now, it certainly isn’t impossible.

If the Toon failed to get promotion, Benitez could choose to quit the club in order to manage in the Premier League again rather than spend another season at Championship level.

He is also said to hold a respect for West Ham after they were gracious in his late decision to join Real Madrid over them in 2015.

Who are the other potential candidates for the Hammers?

Well, Roberto Mancini and highly-rated Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner are just two of the names that have been linked with the job, but it all depends on what happens in the run-in as to what the Irons hierarchy decide to do at the end of the season.

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