Former Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez is close to agreeing to become long-term manager of Newcastle United, it has been reported.
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Rafael Benitez is staying as Newcastle United manager after signing a new three-year contract following their relegation from the Premier League.
Shortly after crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s on the new contract, Benitez made an appearance at the Newcastle United Disabled Supporters party.
However, the Spaniard has agreed to remain with Newcastle, who will play in the Championship in the 2016-2017 season. We have seen a lot of games and we have some players who have played in the Championship before. “My family said, “You have to stay”. But that is football.
“I think we have enough information, enough people with experience – we will talk with them, and maybe we will bring in players were experience in the Championship”. But we must work hard – but it’s not easy.
Much maligned owner Mike Ashley is understood to have told managing director Lee Charnley to allow Benitez to reinvest money from players sales into the squad.
“I am extremely pleased to be staying at Newcastle United”, Benitez, a Champions League victor with Liverpool in 2005, said in a statement on the club website on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time).
The 56-year-old will have full control over in-comings and out-goings as the former Real Madrid coach prepares to go from the Bernabeu to facing Burton in the space of seven months.
Newcastle have already been linked with the likes of Steven Caulker, Lee Tomlin and Ross McCormack since they have dropped down to the second tier.
“I am sure we can be where we belong again”.
“And by that I am talking about the players and the club”.
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The abuse and mockery that quickly followed was expected, but to the extent you wouldn’t be questioned for thinking two more sides actually went down with us.
