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Rafa Benitez has been targeted by Newcastle to replace Steve McClaren.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea manager is the biggest name in the frame for a ten game rescue job at St James’s Park.

Benitez, who was axed as Real Madrid coach in January, is keen on a return to the Premier League and has had contact from United.

But no deal has been done and while Benitez has yet to turn down the opportunity, he needs convincing about the powers he would have to reshape the club in the long run.

McClaren has so far survived in his job and took training as planned on Tuesday.

In pictures: Newcastle's loss to Bournemouth

Newcastle officials have been considering future coaching options for several days, and won’t sack McClaren until they have got his replacement lined up.

Benitez is being considered, but will demand guarantees and influence behind the scenes - as well as on the training ground - if he is to say yes, and he is not yet convinced.

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Newcastle are looking for a bounce to lift them out of the bottom three in a scramble for survival with Sunderland and Norwich. Two of those three are expected to join Aston Villa in being relegated to the Championship.

Any new boss is likely to be appointed until the end of the season initially, before talks about the future direction of the club once Newcastle know which division they are in.

(Image: Getty)

Benitez’s European reputation – he has also bossed Inter, Napoli and Valencia - is considered a plus in motivating an international dressing-room short on inspiration.

Ex-Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes is also keen on the job and not ruled out at this stage.

Nigel Pearson will not be taking the reins, nor will Harry Redknapp.

McClaren arrived for work at the training ground on Tuesday and the only message from the club was “business as usual”.

It is understood behind the scenes work is progressing slowly on making a change.

(Image: Reuters)

Newcastle visit leaders Leicester on Monday night, with a derby six-pointer at home to Sunderland the following weekend.

They will have to promise their next coach a big bonus for keeping them up, to compensate for putting their reputation on the line in such a perilous situation.

McClaren was hoping to put his case directly to owner Mike Ashley, but no meetings have taken place to give him any assurance he has a future.

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Landing Benitez could puncture the mood of pessimism at Newcastle and give the club a fresh impetus.

There will be at least one familiar face if he does take over the St James' Park hot-seat — he took stand-in Toon skipper Jonjo Shelvey to Liverpool six years ago for £3m.