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Rafa Benitez insists he will not leave Everton to return to Newcastle following Saudi-backed takeover, as he has given the Toffees' chief Farhad Moshiri 'his word'

Rafa Benitez has reassured Everton that he will not jump ship and return to Newcastle.

Benitez was a popular figure on Tyneside during his three years in charge between 2016 and 2019 and there have been suggestions he could be heading back following the Saudi-backed consortium’s takeover at St James’ Park.

But Benitez says he has given his word to Everton’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.

Rafa Benitez has no plans of returning to Newcastle following the Saudi-backed takeover
Bruce, 60, has been in charge of the Magpies since the start of the 2019-20 season

Asked if he had been approached about replacing Steve Bruce, he said: ‘No, because I was very clear from the beginning that I gave my word to Everton.