Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley insists he's not to blame for manager Rafa Benitez's departure.

The controversial Newcastle chief is blaming the club's potential new owners for him pulling the plug on fan favourite Benitez's three-year Tyneside reign, says the Mirror.

According to sportswear tycoon Ashley, Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan – who is in talks over a £350million takeover of the Premier League club – does not want the Spaniard as his manager.

Although a new one-year offer to the hugely successful former Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Napoli boss was on the table, Ashley decided to call a halt to any further discussions last Monday, after having the Sheik's choice confirmed.

It became clear the Middle East-based group had their own targets, which included managerial rock-star Jose Mourinho and long-time Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.