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Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is in talks to become the new manager of Premier League strugglers Newcastle United, according to reports.

The Spaniard is being lined up to replace the beleaguered Steve McClaren, who is expected to be sacked this week.

The Daily Mail reports that Benitez will meet Magpies officials on Thursday, even though McClaren's future is yet to be decided.

Newcastle sit 19 in the Premier League table, a point from safety but having lost five of their last six matches.

Benitez is currently without a job having been sacked by Real Madrid in January, and is said to be meeting with Magpies managing director Lee Charnley later today to discuss a potential deal at St James' Park.

Benitez managed Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, winning the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup a year later. His family home is on the Wirral, and he has never hidden his desire to manage in the Premier League again.

He had a short spell in interim charge of Chelsea in 2012/13, winning the Europa League along the way, and has since managed Napoli in Serie A before an ill-fated six months in Madrid.

Newcastle face league leaders Leicester on Monday night, and it is understood that Benitez is hoping to be in charge before that game.

McClaren has won just six of his 28 league games since taking over at St James' last summer.