It has been reported that Newcastle United have secured the services of Champions League winning manager Rafa Benitez, for a further three years until the summer of 2019. Benitez staying represents somewhat of a coup for United considering they will be playing in the second tier next season, however the fans’ enthusiasm, optimism and unconditional support for the Spaniard since his appointment in March seems to have won round the esteemed coach.
Rafa Benitez Staying at Newcastle United
Benitez’s conditions were that he should be guaranteed a transfer kitty by the board and assurances that the squad could bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Diligent work in the last ten days to secure his future at St James’ Park have been successful, evoking a joyous reception from all associated with Newcastle United. Benitez often commands full control at the clubs he manages and with United’s well documented issues with the board and owner Mike Ashley, this could be precisely what the club need; a strong manager with the honours list and character to call the shots on transfers, team selection, contract renewals and plenty more that has not been the case with previous managers and head coaches. Rafa is not a yes-man that will bow to everything the board commands him to do, as he has the expertise and footballing nous to know what is best for a football club the size of Newcastle United. If everything goes to plan and promises are kept, it could be the beginning of a new era on Tyneside.
Some may see this new challenge as a one Rafa Benitez is perilously unfamiliar with, however he has gained promotion from the Spanish Segunda (Second Division), on two occasions previously, with Extremadura and CD Tenerife respectively. While these campaigns were more than fifteen years ago, Benitez’s expertise in management and coaching techniques have been largely successful across all of his positions in Europe over the years.
Benitez has a whole host of major honours to his name, including La Liga titles with Valencia, along with a UEFA Cup triumph in 2004, before moving onto Merseyside giants Liverpool, achieving Champions League success in his first season in charge. An equally memorable FA Cup victory over West Ham United in 2006 made it five major honours in three seasons, consisting of three European trophies, a league title and a domestic cup. During his short tenure at Internazionale Milano, Benitez acquired the Supercoppa Italiana, and the Club World Cup, before moving onto Chelsea, gaining the Europa League title to salvage a dire season for the London club.
In two seasons at Napoli, Benitez won over half of his Serie A fixtures as well as another Supercoppa and Coppa Italia, the Italian version of the FA Cup.
Success has followed Benitez wherever he has gone and every follower of Newcastle United, from the Board of Directors to the supporters, are hoping for much of the same.
Rafa Benitez staying at a second division side would be a coup for any club, and it is nevertheless an excellent acquisition for Newcastle United.
A three-year deal confirmed with assurances from the board that the team can return to their rightful place in the Premier League has led the Spaniard to remain at St James’ Park, with Chief Scout Graham Carr seemingly heading through the exit door in the opposite direction. A Rafa-led revolution on Tyneside may be brewing, bringing renewed hope to all those concerned with Newcastle United.
