Rafa Benitez admits his heart is telling him to stay at Newcastle United

Rafa Benitez says his heart is telling him to stay at Newcastle United next season, but he will need assurances about the club's ambitions for promotion.

Benitez's three-year contract at Newcastle is thought to include a release clause, and despite failing to avoid relegation into the Championship, the fans at St James' Park have taken to the former Liverpool boss.

They finished the season with a fine 5-1 win over Tottenham, and Benitez, who will make his decision in the next two weeks, says he is happy with the set-up.

Report: Newcastle 5-1 Tottenham

Newcastle thrashed Tottenham 5-1 with 10 men to leave Spurs third in the Premier League

Asked what his heart is telling him, Benitez told Sky Sports: "My heart is obviously telling me yes it is a fantastic opportunity, a fantastic atmosphere, everything is so good that my heart is very clear.

"But at the same time you have to use the brain, both things have to go together. We talk with Lee Charnley, and then after we'll see where we are.

"I said I am quite open and I am quite pleased with everything, the staff, everything, now it's just to be sure that we have to do what we have to do to be sure that we can go up if I say here.

"They know, we have been talking. I have the same feeling as the fans, they want a strong team next season to be sure we go up again.

"The way and the ideas will not be difficult to have, to have similar ideas, but we have sit down and make sure of everything."

Benitez's name was sung throughout the game, with banners also urging him to stay for a promotion push next season.

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The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager says it was an emotional day, and has been impressed with the Newcastle's fans' devotion to the team even during the harder times.

"Yes [it was emotional day]. Obviously when you have a lot of people behind you and see the players working as they were working, and everybody singing, it was very, very emotional.

"I knew before it would be like this, and now we have to wait, start talking, and see what we'll do in the future."

Benitez also put Newcastle's fine performance down to them playing without pressure, saying: "When you are under pressure you don't play at the level you can play.

"Today, without fear, we wanted to give the fans something back. We know the fans have been supporting the team in difficult circumstances. I'm really pleased for them, because they needed to see a performance like this."