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Tonight the Chronicle is publishing an open letter to Rafa Benitez to implore that he stays as Newcastle United manager and returns the club to the glory its fans so richly deserve.

Friday's Chronicle newspaper will publish this letter on the front page as we also launch a petition via official website Change.org to keep Rafa at the Magpies' helm.

To sign our petition to keep Rafa at Newcastle United, click here >>

Our open letter to Rafa

Dear Rafa,

We speak for the region when we make this plea.

Everyone is right behind you and we're desperate for you to stay.

Please, Rafa, give us the football we deserve.

At Chelsea, some supporters simply shrugged when you won the Europa League. At Newcastle, we'd immortalise you in a statue.

So stay with us. Rescue us. Win for us and lead us back to glory!

Yours hopefully,

The Toon Army

Here's how this will look on Friday's newsstands

What we're asking of Newcastle United

On Wednesday evening we published a message to club managing director Lee Charnley urging him to do all in his power to secure the services of Rafa next season. Read it here:

What can I do?

Sign our petition - it's easy and free. Do it by clicking on this link, which will take you to the Change.org petition website.

What happens next

Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has yet to make a definitive decision over his future but preliminary talks about the Spaniard staying beyond the end of the season are believed to have started.

Now read:

Newcastle United’s fan forum have released a statement in the aftermath of relegation which included the following: “Message to Rafa Benitez - whilst we fully accept that the short term prospect of life in the Championship may not be as appealing as other offers that you may be presented with, we can certainly promise you that the potential rewards of the longer term would exceed any position that you consider.”

Now read:

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What are fans saying?

Since Wednesday night's relegation we've been asking NUFC fans for their messages to Rafa via the Chronicle's Facebook and Twitter pages.

Here's a selection of the best messages.

Graham Daley: Please stay Rafa, it'll look great on your C.V. Getting us promoted, then winning the Premiership & Champions League with us!

TilehurstsOwn: Whether you stay or go, thank you for giving us someone to believe in.

Marc Shafto: The fight we showed this last month is testament to Rafa and Rafa only, hopefully he realises how much a) we appreciate him b) the potential to build something really special here.

Peter Lappin: I think it's simple, last day sing and chant his name make him feel special, if he stays give him a big war chest by getting rid of all the dead wood at the club, get rid of all these managing directors scouts and anyone who makes a decision on signings, give Rafa full control of signings and give him what he wants and watch him work his magic.

Barry Evans: Offer him the world to stay.

Paddy Robinson: Turn up to Spurs game and sing his name throughout. Show him how much we think of him and make the decision to stay an easy one. Show him that he could build something great for sticking it out for 12 months away from the top flight. Don't boo, or protest, just sing his name.

Allan Strange: Give him full control, give him what he needs to stay or we will never return to the Premier League.

Kevin Sayers: We need Rafa to stay at any cost. He needs to ship out the players who don't care.

Jonathan Grieve: Please PLEASE stay Rafa. Tyneside loves you!

Michael Chater: If there's one manager capable of making #NUFC great once again, it's Rafa Benitez. Please stay and fix this club, Rafa.

Simon Neilson: Rafa - if you stay you know that when it clicks, and it will, the Toon will be a force to behold and you will be a legend.

Domonic Bylett: This man has the chance to be a legend at this club, if he takes on this challenge I will have so much respect for him!

Dan Allison: Juventus were relegated. They play in black and white. Look at them now!

JCTippy: #DearRafa here are the keys to the club. Now crack on.

Sign our petition here >>