RAFAEL BENITEZ has ruled out walking out on Everton in order to lead Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabia-backed revolution at St James’ Park.

Newcastle’s new owners, led by North Yorkshire financier Amanda Staveley, will rule on Steve Bruce’s future in the next couple of days, with the current Magpies manager expected to be moved aside with his side struggling in 19th position in the table.

Frank McParland, who is expected to be formally announced as a key member of Newcastle’s new executive set-up soon, is set to lead the recruitment process for Bruce’s long-term successor.

The former Liverpool academy director and director of recruitment at Rangers will be tasked with finding an experienced, high-profile manager to lead Newcastle’s new dawn, but that figure will not be Benitez despite his close links to both St James’ Park and the new regime.

Benitez, who led the Magpies for more than three years between 2016 and 2019, was heavily involved in introducing Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners group to Newcastle and the club’s former owner, Mike Ashley.

Both Benitez and Staveley share links with Owen Brown, PCP’s football consultant who is expected to continue to play an advisory role as the new off-field structure takes shape.

Benitez has been touted as a possible managerial candidate in the last few days, but the Spaniard is understood to have categorically ruled out leaving Everton in order to return to Tyneside.

The 61-year-old was only appointed as Everton manager in June, and while he retains a strong affinity to Newcastle, he feels it would be wrong to turn his back on the Toffees, who took a gamble on appointing him given his previous spell as manager of Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard are both regarded as potentially viable candidates for the Newcastle job, but former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is not understood to be in the running for the post.