Rafa Benitez has challenged Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley to allow him to start building a team that can compete at the top end of the Premier League if he wants him to agree to extend his contract.

Benitez, who has one year left on his current deal, will assess his options at the end of the season and has conflicting thoughts on whether he wants to remain on Tyneside.

On the one hand, he is extremely happy, appreciative of the adulation he receives from supporters and excited about the challenge of returning Newcastle to European football, if he can keep them up this term.

However, his relationship with Ashley has been damaged over the course of three dysfunctional transfer windows, in which he feels not enough has been done to support him, both in terms of investment, but also regarding judgment.

At the heart of the problem is a breakdown in trust and Ashley will have to persuade the Spaniard that he will keep his promises before Benitez shows any willingness to commit his long-term future to the club.

“It’s not that I am right in every decision, but what’s clear is that if you want to be stronger we have to improve and we have to change things,” said Benitez, speaking to Telegraph Sport in Spain during a warm weather training camp.