Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has blasted the former manager of his club Rafa Benitez insisting that it was “impossible” to keep hold of the coach – because was only interested in money.

The Toon Army have called for a boycott of the club’s games next season after the Newcastle owner replaced the fan-favourite manager with Steve Bruce.

Benitez revealed he wanted to stay on Tyneside but left after he wasn’t given assurances over transfers and infrastructure — and because he lost all trust in Ashley.

The 59-year-old then doubled his Newcastle salary after agreeing a staggering £12million-a-year deal to become boss of Chinese side Dalian Yifang.

And Ashley has claimed Benitez was determined to follow a lucrative move to the Far East from the start and he had even offered him an eight-year contract to stay.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “I’d say it was money first, Rafa, then the club last. He took the totally soft option, took the money and went to China.

“If he’d gone back to Real Madrid, or a top-six club in the Premier League, I get it. But it was about money and all he had to do was say that from the beginning.

“He asked for a 50 per cent pay increase and I think he did that because he knew it couldn’t work.

“I’m not disappointed in him as a manager – he did an excellent job. It puzzles me why any fan thinks I wouldn’t want him. I’m not the thickest person on the planet.”

After Benitez’s exit, Ashley moved to announce former Sunderland boss Bruce on a three-year deal, report the Sun.

The Tyneside outfit had to pay the Owls £4million in compensation after the 58-year-old walked out before his resignation was accepted.

And plenty of Newcastle fans are not convinced he will be able to keep the club in the Premier League next season.