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The more Jose Mourinho's name is linked with St James' Park, the more excited Newcastle United fans will become.

But, just like the Bin Zayed Group's prospective takeover itself, supporters should remain cautious until such an outcome genuinely becomes realistic.

What's more, the Magpies already have a world-class manager in situ in Rafa Benitez - and, rightly, the priority should be convincing the 59-year-old to sign an extension to his current contract, which expires in three weeks' time, rather than on identifying his potential successor.

In fact, the mere suggestion that Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan is even exploring the possibility of replacing Benitez is, in itself, premature.

True, it would be borderline negligent for the Bin Zayed Group or for the current Newcastle hierarchy themselves not to at least contemplate life without Benitez, seeing as though his United tenure is set to end on June 30.

But to go beyond merely considering the idea that the Spaniard may depart by actually beginning to cast envious glances towards the likes of Mourinho and Arsene Wenger seems premature.

All of the initial noises from the Bin Zayed Group intimated that the would-be owners were keen to keep hold of Benitez; there was an apparent appreciation of all the Spaniard had achieved on Tyneside so far with limited resources, and an espoused belief that he is the manager who can finally allow NUFC to fulfil the potential by which the club has for so long been defined.

Yet these claims came as a surprise to Benitez himself, who had received no prior contact from the Dubai-based Bin Zayed Group before news of their interest emerged a fortnight ago.

Of course, there is a possibility that Sheikh Khaled's desire to appoint either Mourinho or Wenger as manager has been inflated somewhat; but these claims are unlikely to endear the Bin Zayed Group to Benitez.

After all, Mourinho and Benitez have been embroiled in a bitter rivalry for 15 years - and it is likely that the Portuguese would be one of the last coaches who the Spaniard would endorse to replace him at St James' Park.

Over the past two seasons, Mourinho has spoken far more positively about Benitez, but do not let that facade belie the true state of the relationship between the pair. While he was Manchester United manager, Mourinho did not see Benitez nor Newcastle as a threat, and therefore he did not feel the need to ramp up the rhetoric further about a manager he has long criticised publicly.

But, even disregarding Benitez's long-standing friction with Mourinho, the very idea of the Bin Zayed Group mapping out Newcastle's future without their current manager appears overhasty.

As enthusiastic as supporters are about a new custodian potentially ending Mike Ashley's 12-year tenure as owner, they are also desperate for Benitez to remain at the helm.

The possibility that Benitez's camp have already made it clear that he intends to depart Tyneside regardless of who is owner come the start of the 2019/20 season cannot be discounted entirely - though, if that really was the status quo, then surely Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley would have ended negotiations with the Spaniard by now if they thought such discussions were futile.

Unlike Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners' initial efforts to buy the Magpies back in November 2017, the Bin Zayed Group's £350million offer is not preconditioned by Benitez staying on as manager.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Some may, quite justifiably, argue that new owners should look to install their own coach, who they trust to carry out the job. Ashley, for example, inherited Sam Allardyce at Newcastle - and, after six unhappy months working with a manager he didn't appear to have complete faith in, finally dispensed with the ex-Bolton Wanderers boss and brought Kevin Keegan back.

But, when we look back at the Bin Zayed Group's initial statement, they claimed that they viewed it "as an honour to have the opportunity to build on the strong support, history and tradition" of Newcastle".

If that is the case, then taking United fans' views into consideration should surely be of paramount concern. The Magpies support base have unwavering faith in Benitez that he is the person who can finally bring a trophy back to Tyneside after more than half-a-century without Newcastle lifting silverware.

Dispensing of Benitez's services, even in order to bring in another world-class manager such as Mourinho or Wenger, would not necessarily be the shrewdest move.

It must be noted that at no point have the Bin Zayed Group, either publicly or privately, said that they intend to replace Benitez as manager, but neither did they declare their desire to retain the Spaniard's services in the two statements they released last month confirming their interest.

Frustratingly, all this speculation linking Mourinho with St James' Park does is add further confusion to the already perplexing situation Newcastle find themselves in, more than four weeks after the season ended.

Ashley is still waiting for the Bin Zayed Group to provide proof of funds, while it is understood that the billionaire's lawyers have also held substantive discussions with two further groups. But, given that he has tried and failed to sell the club countless times before, a takeover being completed this summer cannot be taken as read.

The one critical issue which must be resolved imminently - and which should have been concluded long before now - is Benitez's future.

Any of the would-be Newcastle owner's, including the Bin Zayed Group, would be inheriting a club with an invaluable asset already in the manager's office at St James' Park if the Spaniard can be tied down to a new deal.

That is yet another reason, to add to the countless others, why Ashley simply has to belatedly offer Benitez the reassurances he desires so that he finally signs a contract extension.