Newcastle United are ready to offer former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez the chance to replace Steve McClaren at St James' Park, a source close to the club has told ESPN FC.
McClaren's position at Newcastle has been the subject of intense speculation since last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth with a club fans' forum demanding "action" as they have lost five of their six matches and are second from bottom of the Premier League with just nine games left.
The former England boss remains in his job as it stands, but a source has told ESPN FC that Newcastle are ready to act after getting positive feedback that Benitez is ready to step in and try and secure their Premier League survival.
Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley was scheduled to hold a meeting with McClaren about his future on Wednesday, but that conversation ended up taking place over the phone, with McClaren's future in limbo.
Benitez has been out of work since January after being sacked by Spanish giants Real Madrid following seven months in charge at the Bernabeu.
The 55-year-old, who still lives in the North West of England following his six years in charge of Liverpool, has never hidden his desire to manage again in the Premier League and could return on a short-term deal with the option of a longer stay if he keeps Newcastle up.