Rafael Benitez: 'I will not leave Newcastle United'

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez dreams of Istanbul ahead of his side's Premier League meeting with Manchester City on April 19, 2016
© Getty Images
Rafael Benitez says that he will not walk away from Newcastle United after the Championship club failed to make any signings during the January transfer window.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that he will not quit St James' Park after the club failed to make any signings in January.

Reports in the national press on Friday claimed that the Spaniard was considering his future at the Championship outfit ahead of Saturday's home clash against Derby County due to their unsuccessful transfer window experience.

However, Benitez dismissed those suggestions at his media conference, claiming that his focus is solely on securing Newcastle's return to the Premier League and not on missed transfer targets.

"We have finished the transfer window and we have a good squad and I have confidence in them. My priority is to make sure we are ready for the next game against Derby, that's it," Benitez, who signed a new three-year deal in the summer, told Sky Sports News.

"I will not quit, I will not leave because I am happy or not happy. I am ready to fight and to try and get the three points in the next game to get promotion at the end of the season.

"At the end of the season, I expect us to win promotion and we will enjoy and be happy. We cannot be blaming each other now after the transfer window, we have to be sure that we concentrate on getting three points from every game."

The Magpies currently sit second in the Championship table, one point behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.

Tim Krul of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on August 29, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Read Next:
Watford to swoop for Tim Krul?
>


Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Newcastle UnitedNewcastle29202757233462
2Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29187447242361
3Reading3017584439556
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2917483732555
5Leeds UnitedLeeds301731042301254
6Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2914783428649
7Norwich CityNorwich30145115042847
8Derby CountyDerby2913793022846
9Barnsley30136114844445
10Fulham291110846331343
11Preston North EndPreston30119103837142
12Birmingham CityBirmingham301010103239-740
13Brentford29107124038237
14Aston Villa2981292932-336
15Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest30106144248-636
16Ipswich TownIpswich3099123139-836
17Cardiff CityCardiff30106143444-1036
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2998123840-235
19Queens Park RangersQPR3097142942-1334
20Bristol City2994163841-331
21Burton Albion3087153041-1131
22Blackburn RoversBlackburn2977153446-1228
23Wigan AthleticWigan2968152635-926
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham3044222764-3716