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Rafa Benitez admits he still wants to "win titles" - and he insists that he still hopes he can do so at Newcastle United.

Yet the 58-year-old has also issued a warning to the United hierarchy, stressing he still desires to "compete at the highest level" and that he will not rule out a return to Serie A in the future if his dreams cannot be realised at St James' Park.

The Spaniard's comments come at a time when United fans are becoming increasingly fearful that Benitez will depart Tyneside once his contract expires at the end of the season.

Benitez has postponed talks over an extension until after the January transfer window, with the former Real Madrid manager as-of-yet unconvinced that Newcastle share his ambition to compete for European football and trophies.

During an extensive and wide-ranging interview with Italian publication La Gazetta dello Sport, Benitez once again reiterated his desire to be the manager who finally helps Newcastle fulfil their potential.

"The fans love me, the team is recovering," Benitez replied when asked about how he was enjoying his time at St James' Park.

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"Let's try to fight against the Cyclops with our best weapon: the open-face game. And we must keep aiming for the highest goals as I have always done in my career.

"I've changed as a manager and a person, too. I keep looking for the best balance on and off the field.

"I have a young staff and we work together to find the mix that helps players get the most out of themselves.

"The fans are passionate if you always try to win. The methods are not very interesting for them [because it's all about the winning]."

(Image: Getty Images)

But, with Newcastle once again fighting against relegation this season and Benitez refusing to sign a new deal until he is convinced the Magpies hierarchy does have a desire to regularly compete in the top eight in the Premier League, there remains a very real danger that the Spaniard will depart once his contract expires in May.

One potential destination for Benitez should he leave Tyneside could be a return to Serie A, where he spent six months at Inter Milan in 2010, before he later won the Coppa Italia with Napoli.

The Spaniard was glowing in his praise of Italian football during his interview with Gazetta, and stresses that Serie A could offer him the opportunity to lift trophies once again - seemingly if the Newcastle board cannot prove to Benitez that he has a realistic chance of doing likewise at St James' Park.

"I still want to fight to win titles, raise trophies and to compete at the highest level," Benitez - who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, as well as two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup with Valencia before that - replied when he was asked if he would consider working in Italy again.

"And the Italian Serie A is one of the most important championships in the world. I also have the advantage of speaking the language, of knowing and admiring the Italian culture; and this helps. So you never know in the future what will happen ".