And Benitez – who has been given full control over incomings and outgoings – has an open mind as to the division from which new signings will be recruited.
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And Benitez has suggested that Newcastle could look to sign players with knowledge of what it takes to get out of the Championship.
Although McCormack is 29 and would cost Newcastle £12 million due to his release clause, Benitez may see his goals as the difference between promotion and another season in the Championship. I came here because of that and I could see them every day.
Despite the heartache of losing their Premier League status, Newcastle put up a spirited fight which contrasted with many of their displays under previous boss Steve McLaren.
Rafa Benitez has expressed his delight at becoming Newcastle’s permanent manager.
Instead, discussions which began after Sunderland ‘s victory over Everton on May 11 confirmed Newcastle’s drop into the Sky Bet Championship are ongoing with both parties hopeful that formal agreement will be reached sooner rather than later.
They also told their manager that he will not be obliged to sell any of his high-profile players after the club’s relegation from the Premier League. Townsend for one has already been spotted on a flight to Lisbon as a move to Sporting looks very much on the cards, but Rafa will want to keep his key players at St James’s Park.
What’s more, the Spaniard will be allowed to reinvest the money received from player sales, “which could be a huge windfall”, adds the paper.
Benitez explained that he made a decision to stay, because of the warm reception he received from Newcastle fans.
“Good players”, he said, when asked who Newcastle will target in the summer.
“I have to be honest and say I didn’t realise how big a club it was until I got there, and the reality is that it probably grew dramatically in size because of Keegan’s presence and our Entertainers side”.
Rafa Benitez is close to agreeing a deal to remain as Newcastle United manager, Press Association Sport reports.
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“I am here because I am convinced we can go up next season, stay there for a long time and even win trophies”.
