Sunday 5 May 2019 08:44, UK
Rafa Benitez has urged Newcastle United to match the ambition of its supporters as uncertainty remains over his long-term future at St James' Park.
Benitez nearly guided Newcastle to a famous draw over his former club Liverpool in their final home game of the season, but Divock Origi's late header sealed a 3-2 victory for the title-chasing Reds.
The Newcastle boss and his players embarked on a lap of honour after the defeat and, with the Spaniard's contract set to expire on June 30, he was asked whether it would be hard to walk such a passionate fan base.
He said: "This game was special, I have a relationship with both sets of fans.
"It's always special when you do well and have to go around and see smiles on the fans' faces, it's emotional but really good at the same time.
"We have had and will have conversations over the next couple of weeks [of my future] and see where we are.
"It's so simple, you have the potential, you can feel the potential and the passion of the fans and what it means to them.
"We have to compete with the teams that are around us but it's not easy. I am really proud and pleased because we stayed up, but I'd like to compete for something more.
"Hopefully we can go closer and match the ambition of the fans."
Newcastle looked on course to deal a major blow to Liverpool's title hopes by twice coming from behind in a hotly-contested clash on Tyneside.
"The way we played, the commitment of the players, the togetherness of the players and fans was crucial in what was a good performance," Benitez added.
"I'm proud of this group of players, to stay up was a good achievement and to today against one of the best teams in Europe from the beginning until the end is something every Newcastle fan can be pleased and happy about."
