Rafa Benitez hugs Andros Townsend following the win over Crystal Palace in April

Andros Townsend is urging manager Rafael Benitez to remain at Newcastle next season.

The Spaniard replaced Steve McClaren in March but, despite winning more matches than he lost, it was not enough to save the Magpies who were relegated from the Premier League for the first time in eight seasons.

It is thought that the 56-year-old has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the club if relegated.

Jamie Carragher believes Rafael Benitez has a difficult decision to make on his future after Newcastle's relegation to the Championship Jamie Carragher believes Rafael Benitez has a difficult decision to make on his future after Newcastle's relegation to the Championship

Sky sources understand Newcastle United are edging closer to confirming that Benitez will stay on as manager next season, a decision supported by Townsend.

"It would be massive for Newcastle to keep Rafa as manager," said Townsend. "He's one of the best managers in the world.

"If we can keep a manager of that calibre and keep doing the right things we'll build.

Rafael Benitez confirmed that he is happy at Newcastle and wants to stay at the club, but needs assurances that they have the same ambitions as him Rafael Benitez confirmed that he is happy at Newcastle and wants to stay at the club, but needs assurances that they have the same ambitions as him

"We won't cut corners but we'll build for the future and come straight back into the Premier League.

"Then we'll be up there challenging in the Premier League because that's what the manager wants to do."