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Jake Sanders & Aidan McCartney

Paul Ince gives verdict on Rafa Benitez's future at Newcastle United

Newcastle United might be on the verge of Premier League survival but Paul Ince has played down the job that boss Rafa Benitez has done in the North East this season.

A sixth home league victory in 2019 against Southampton helped the club over the line as they clinched survival.

Despite sitting joint-bottom after collecting just six points from their first 11 matches, Paul Ince admitted that keeping Newcastle up 'wasn't hard.'

Speaking on BBC Final Score, Ince said: "If he wants to leave Newcastle, where else could he go in the Premier League? That's the thing I am looking at.

Former Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has seen his tactics labelled 'anti-football'  

"I don't think there are many places he could go, he is a fantastic manager and people say it's great he has kept Newcastle in the Premier League again this year, but it wasn't hard. 

"Let me tell you that now, when you have got Fulham and Huddersfield on the lowest points, so you are only talking about one other team.

"It wasn't a hard thing for him to do, but I know he is ambitious, I know he wants to compete with the top-six, top-seven, and it is important they do get it bedded down before pre-season starts that's for sure."

'I know each game could be my last one': Mo Diame on his complex contract situation at Newcastle

Ayoze Perez exclusive: Newcastle star on Rafa Benitez staying, his pride at rubbing shoulders with Toon legends and rumours of La Liga exit  

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