Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle when his contract expires at the end of the month, the club have announced.
Benitez, 59, has spent just over three years in charge at St James' Park since replacing Steve McClaren in March 2016.
"It is with disappointment that we announce manager Rafael Benitez will leave Newcastle United upon the expiry of his contract on 30th June 2019," Newcastle said on their official website.
"We have worked hard to extend Rafa's contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been - and will not be - possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives."
"We have worked hard to extend Rafa's contract over a significant period of time, however it has not been - and will not be - possible to reach an agreement with Rafa and his representatives."
Newcastle confirmed Benitez's coaching staff, Paco de Miguel Moreno, Antonio Gomez Perez and Mikel Antia, will also leave the club.
"We would like to thank Rafa and his coaching team for their efforts over the last three years and their significant contribution to what has been collectively achieved," the Magpies added.
"We would also like to thank our supporters, players and staff for their patience during a period of uncertainty.
"The process to appoint a successor will now begin."
Former striker Alan Shearer claimed allowing Benitez to leave was a shambles.
"A world class manager. A manager who performed so well in very difficult circumstances. A manager who understood the fans," he wrote on Twitter.
"Thanks and good luck rafabenitezweb you were brilliant for the Toon. ?SHAMBLES."
Famed Newcastle fans Ant and Dec have also hit out at the club's heirarchy, tweeting: "Disastrous. Those 'at the top' of our great club should be ashamed. The great shame is that they won't be. The way they are repeatedly able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is astonishing. Thank you rafabenitezweb. Mike Ashley - get out of OUR club."
Meanwhile, Vinnie Jones reckons Roy Keane is the man for the job and thinks something could already be in the works.
Roy Keane left his role as Nottingham Forest assistant boss on Sunday, and Vinnie Jones tweeted: "Coincidence Roy Keane leaves Notts Forest same time? Could do worse."
