"I had teams, agents, talking with more money than here," said Benitez, whose side have slipped to within two points of the drop zone.

"When I say more money, more money than here. But still I want to do something here, I want to stay in England.

"I'm close to my family, the fans have been fantastic, so you try to do something properly. It's a challenge, but it's a risk. Yes, it's a risk.

"But it's a challenge and I will try to do my best to win every single game."

Benitez called on Newcastle's fans, disillusioned with owner Mike Ashley's perceived indifference towards the club, to unite in support of the players.

The former Valencia and Liverpool boss insisted he did not share the fans' frustration over the lack of new signings, but could not help alluding to opportunities missed.

"I said before, I wanted to come to England, to stay close to my family and then this club was an opportunity, to be in one of the top 10." he said.

"You have the top six and then you could be there – between the seventh and the 10th. That was my view.

"We were trying. We couldn't save the team in the first year and then we won the Championship, so we said 'OK, now, is the time'.

"Then you say the first year is quite difficult, but we finished 10th, now is the time. Then it's the third year, and you try, you try, but... (sigh)."

Benitez said a top-six challenge was currently beyond the club, but insisted he was not being negative.

"The reality is that we have to compete in a division when we cannot compete against Bournemouth, who are spending money," he added.

"Forget about the top six, we have to compete against the others and we have to be realistic.

"That doesn't mean you are negative. Realistic, because you have the experience."

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