Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez refuses to reject his resignation if his club drops him on the transfer market

Rafa Benitez refused to guarantee that he would not leave his post at Newcastle United before the end of the season.

However, the 58-year-old admits that it will be "very difficult" for him to leave once the transfer window is closed Thursday night, even though the Magpies failed to bring in a single player before 11pm.

The director of United refused to discuss the lack of transfer activities of the club throughout the month, mainly because he had nothing positive to say, and he was far from his usual open mind at recent press conferences.

Fans are naturally worried that, like Benitez exasperated by the situation, the Spaniard withdrew on the expiry of his contract, if not before.

It is understood that the clause of the contract of Benitez providing for the payment of a salary of one year to the club, if he left early, expired last summer, and that the Spaniard could now resign without having to to leave an indemnity.

Still, Benitez would be extremely reluctant to do so, knowing that he had never broken a contract before and would ideally like to stay long term at St James's Park. But another frustrating transfer niche has left the Spaniard seriously looking for his future, and he has already postponed the extension talks until later in the season.

In front of the Magpies hosting Tuesday night Manchester City defending Premier League champions Tyneside – in a match, little chance that United will get a realistic hope of victory – Benitez has had many opportunities to confirm that he would stay in the dugout of St James & Park until May. he chose not to do it.

Rather worrisome, he even declined to promise that he would definitely still be director Friday morning, stating, "We will wait until Thursday to see what happens. Hope we can score three points against Manchester City, and everyone will be happy. "

Despite an agreement with Jordan Lukaku of Lazio Friday after the Belgian failed a medical appointment, Benitez still wants a left-back, an offensive midfielder and a winger who will arrive before the end of the month.

This winter window was seen as a determining factor as to whether Benitez would agree to stay beyond the end of the season, but the Spaniard even suggests that this could also affect his more immediate future.

"I'm focusing on getting the best out of these players for these games," replied Benitez when asked if he would consider his future if the players he wished were not brought to the door.

"I came here and I decided to stay in the championship because I can see the club's potential.I will try to do my best until the last minute.

"Yes I can [still] see the potential. It does not mean that you reach the potential, but I can see the potential.

"I think so [that the club can still fulfil its potential]. In the short term, it will be difficult now because we only have a few days left [in the window]. But in the future, why not?

"I decided to stay in the championship so I could prove to everyone that I could see the potential and I thought we could do it right, we did it. 39th chance to go ahead and we'll see what happens. " "

In another extraordinary press conference – following his press briefing – on transfers following the dismal fourth FA Cup 2-0 exit at Watford on Saturday – Benitez has repeatedly answered mysterious questions about his future. .

While many of his responses seemed to be less veiled threats to owner Mike Ashley and the hierarchy that he is seriously considering leaving if reinforcements fail to arrive, there was also a reluctance in his tone that belied some of his answers.

Regardless of Benitez's depressed feeling towards the overall situation at St James's Park, it seems very unlikely that he will leave before leading Newcastle to survival in the Premier League.

Pushed as to whether he would promise not to resign before the expiry of his contract, Benitez said, "No, I can not guarantee anything.

"I guarantee you that I will be focused and that I will do my best every minute. It does not matter my mood. I have to concentrate to get the best of my players, and that's it.

"It will be very difficult [for me] go [after Thursday’s deadline]. No [I have not considered leaving yet]I'm just focused on that, to prepare for the game.

"I was talking to a few players before and I'm going straight to my desk and I'm going to try to prepare the game. That's what I have to do.

"What I have to give back to the fans is this: I am a professional, I will work hard and I will try to do my best.

"I'm a professional and I want to do things well, again, I'll say that if I decide to stay in the league, it's to do my job and finish my job the way I do." like to do things, principles and I will try to do things right. "

In a supplementary question, Benitez was asked if his job ended at the end of his contract this summer. The Spaniard has well offered a potential olive branch to Ashley and the US hierarchy, although he is willing to discuss a possible extension of the market. next weeks.

"I do not know, it depends on the situation at that time," said Benitez before recalling the meeting he had had with Ashley, the help of the owner, Justin Barnes, and the advisor in public relations Keith Bishop, at St James's Park, following the 3-0 win over Cardiff City.

"Not necessarily next week [that contract talks will take place]. This could be any time. It depends on how things go.

"I had a conversation with Mike, Justin, Bishop and Lee [Charnley, who was not actually at the meeting] the other day. We talked about everything and now we'll see where we are. "

Although Benitez added that the conversation with Ashley "did not change anything" with regards to what he was thinking about at the moment in Tyneside, he suggested that he would like another discussion with the owner if the Billionaire was at St James's Park on Tuesday. evening.

Worrisome though, Benitez also hinted that little had changed since he had spoken with Ashley, so the actions of the club's board of directors are now needed.

"I have no idea if he wants to come and talk, very well," Benitez replied when asked if Ashley would be there.

"[The conversation] did not change anything. You just have more ideas. [We are in] exactly the same position. It gives you something to think about.

"I did not expect to [to chat then] but always, it's the owner, he can do what he wants. I am a professional and everything is fine. I know what I'm trying to do. They know my ideas. That's all. "