Newcastle vs Southampton: Rafa Bentiez left ‘waiting for answers’ on his future as contract talks continue

Benitez is out of contract at the end of the season and fears his own uncertainty could spread to the squad in the closing weeks and affect their attempts to secure their Premier League status

Rafa Benitez has admitted that he is still “waiting for answers” on his future at Newcastle United, and fears that the uncertainty over his role as manager next season combined with speculation about a number of the club’s leading players could lead to a lack of focus this season.

The Spaniard is out of contract at the end of the season, and although Newcastle look safe from relegation for another season, Benitez still wants one more victory to get his side across the 40-point mark.

But while he attempts to focus on securing those three precious points – starting with this Saturday’s encounter with Southampton as St James’ Park – Benitez has had to keep one eye on his own future, given there is no assurance that he will remain Newcastle manager next season.

“I don’t want to give too much information," Benitez said on Thursday.

"All I will say is that we had contact behind the scenes because we couldn’t be talking every week about our conversations. I was saying, ‘Concentrate on that, make sure we are safe’, but at the same time, we will do what we have to do.

"Now, we are in the same position we were in one month ago. That is it. Waiting for answers."

With the summer transfer window around the corner, Benitez is seeing that uncertainty spread to some of his players, with midfielder Matt Ritchie in particular finding himself the centre of speculation over his own talks for a new deal.

The Scotland international reportedly wants to sign an improved contract at St James’ Park, and Benitez rejected claims that he has told Ritchie he is free to leave for a new club as a result, but the manager did acknowledge that his own uncertain future could somewhat distract the players during the season run-in.

"It is something that has happened sometimes. It depends on the manager how they react,” Benitez added.

"For me, I just concentrate on preparing the team and preparing for the next game. I have to try to keep the players focused, and that is the difficult thing because everyone has their own future ahead, and they are thinking about different things.

Rafa Benitez still doesn't know if he will be Newcastle manager next season (AFP/Getty)

"We have to manage different players in different ways, but the only thing you can do is make sure you train well and explain things the best you can.

"My concern, when I was reading different stories about players, is that we are losing focus. We still need to win another game.

"We need to make sure we are safe, and then after that, if people start to lose focus, okay. But at the moment, we have to be sure we can get another three points."

Newcastle sit in 15th place on 38 points, seven ahead of 18th-placed Cardiff City with 12 points still available, and victory this weekend combined with a defeat for Neil Warnock’s side would make Newcastle mathematically safe in the Premier League for another season.