Rafael Benitez has admitted that he is "happy" at Newcastle United and could be persuaded to stay on beyond the end of the season.
The Spaniard was widely expected to depart St James' Park next summer when his current deal expires, having failed to receive the financial backing he was after from owner Mike Ashley.
Newcastle's poor start to the season has only made matters worse, but Benitez believes that a top-eight finish is still on the cards if Ashley changes his stance in January.
Asked if he might stay beyond the end of his contract, the 58-year-old said: "Yeah, I am happy here.
"We can't waste energy with my future but, in January, we have to find the right targets to improve things on the pitch - and do it. Last year is an example - we finished 10th after we did it in January. We can do something similar.
"Hopefully, we can be in much better position in January, then it will be easier. You are asking me about my future, and I decided about my future when I signed for Newcastle United for three years.
"My idea when we were talking about that was the project to finish challenging the top eight, so not even the top 10. I said we could be easily in the top eight, that was my idea. Do I still believe it's a top eight team? What I said - if we do the right things, yes."
Newcastle are rock bottom of the Premier League on two points from their first nine matches.
Daniel Lewis
