Newcastle offered Benitez to Spain

Luis Rubiales, president of the RFEF, has claimed that board members at Newcastle got in touch with the Spanish national side after Julen Lopetegui was spectacularly sacked two days before the tournament began in Russia. 

"When I sacked Julen I immediately called Hierro and told him I didn't want to make any changes. Two days later a letter arrived from Newcastle saying 'Are you interested in our coach? He's at your disposition.' We said thanks but no," Rubiales revealed to 'COPE'.

"We would have never done that, we couldn't hire Benitez because it would have been acting in the same way for which we reproached Julen."

Benitez is currently at loggerheads with owner Mike Ashley, who the fans accuse of refusing to back the manager. 

Ashley has been withholding transfer funds until the manager signs a new contract, but the Spaniard has the full support of the fans and they will react with fury that the owner tried to engineer an exit for the former Liverpool man.