Rafael Benitez: Newcastle United appoint Spaniard as Steve McClaren's successor
Last updated on .From the section Football
Rafael Benitez has been named as Newcastle's new manager, following the sacking of Steve McClaren.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Valencia boss takes over with the Magpies a point from safety with 10 games left.
The Spaniard, 55, has signed a three-year contract, which is understood to contain a break clause should Newcastle be relegated at the end of the season.
"C'mon Toon Army. The club and I need your total involvement," he said.
Benitez was sacked in January after seven months as Real Madrid boss.
He spent six years as Liverpool manager, winning the Champions League in 2005. He also had an interim spell with Chelsea, guiding the Blues to Europa League success in 2013.
"I have the pleasure to confirm I have committed to a legendary English club, with the massive challenge of remaining part of the Premier League," said Benitez, who has brought in coaches Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Miguel Moreno and Antonio Gomez Perez, although Ian Cathro remains at the club as part his backroom staff.
"It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the club and the fans.
"All of us must push together in the same direction and with the same target in mind. This is the reason why I'm going to ask for your total support to successfully complete this task."
The former Liverpool manager, whose family still live on the Wirral peninsula in the north west of England, added: "Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can't be happier."
McClaren was sacked after just nine months in charge.
Under the former England manager's guidance, Newcastle won just six of 28 Premier League games.
Coaches Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black have all left the club.
Managing director Lee Charnley said: "In Rafa we have, without doubt, secured the services of one of Europe's top managers.
"He has managed some of the most successful teams at the very highest level of the game and we are proud to now have him as our manager.
"Our sole focus now is to give our full support to Rafa, his coaching team and the players in order to secure our status in the Premier League."
Former Magpies defender Steve Howey told BBC Radio 5 live: "Benitez could be a fans' favourite straight away. He's got a fantastic track record.
"Sunderland seem to have done it in the last couple of seasons, changing their manager and getting a positive result.
"It's a big contrast for him. It's not that long since he was manager of Real Madrid and if things don't go well he could be playing on a horrible, windy, wet midweek game down at MK Dons."
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That's like trading in a Ferrari for a Robin Reliant...
Some people through a series of misfortunes over which I have not control find themselves in a desperate situation about which I can do nothing. Their circumstances are desperate and I feel sorry for them.
However at least now they have a decent manager.
As for the migrants they can claim asylum in France can't they?
The problem is NUFC structure above the manager (or technically "head coach") - as none of them have much experience of running a football club, and worse don't seem to have a clue about it either
No manager could ever succeed under the current NUFC structure, the best they can do is survive (like Pardew)
on 1 hour ago
Mr Mclaren was shopping with his wife in Harrogate at 1.30pm today.
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Thanks for that Johnap, if you could update us on the whereabouts of Glen Roeder or Joe Kinner that would be most helpful.
Johnap, stalking ex-Newcastle United managers so you don't have to.
But this could be his biggest ever task - first keeping us up, then sorting out the biggest structural mess of any Premier League club.
Mike Ashley will have you on a Zero hours contract and still expect you to do the job
It's a topic on sport silly boy/girl.
As for the Migrants in Calais they can go watch Psg next CL Round.
March - Steven Taylor
Talk about a culture shock!
Good luck to him though. His football won't set the World alight but he will bring much needed structure and balance to the team
And if the fans and the owners have the patience to see out 3 years of Rafa, you'll see the transformation of your club and may finally win some silverware.
Alas you'll have to put up with all the negative bias of opposition fans out of sheer jealously.
Best of luck Rafa - your always be welcome at Anfield.