Rafael Benitez, Real Madrid, Champions League, 20151125PROSHOTS

Newcastle United players want Rafael Benitez’s stay – Christian Atsu

Christian Atsu has stated the desire of Newcastle United players for manager Rafael Benitez to continue his stay at the club.

The former Liverpool gaffer signed a three-year contract with the St James' Park outfit in March 2016, and although they went on relegation that term, he guided them back to the top-flight, winning the English Championship title in the process.

This season, despite a poor start, the four-time Premier League champions have seen their stock rise having climbed to the tenth spot in the log, with 41 points from 35 games, thus securing their place in the top division next season.

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And the Ghana international is hoping that the Spanish tactician will stay, with the support the players and fans are giving him at the club.

"We need him to stay because we [the players] love working with him, the fans love him, we both love him," Atsu told Sky Sports.

"We are giving him all the support and we hoping he will stay and work with us for many years, without him things would be very difficult.

"We work so hard, we have a great manager, the fans are behind us. At every game, home and away we have 52,000 fans supporting us.

"We are very happy for the support and we are so proud of ourselves that we are staying in the Premiership."

Christian Atsu psGbenga Adewoye

Atsu has enjoyed a regular playing time under the manager featuring in 28 league games, scoring twice.

The former Chelsea player will be looking to be on parade when Newcastle take on Watford on Saturday.

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