Newcastle appoint Rafa Benitez as manager on 3 year contract

Rafa Benitez has signed a 3-year contract to take over as Newcastle United manager after Steve McClaren finally got sacked after a string of poor results. McClaren has faced immense criticism in recent weeks as Newcastle find themselves second from bottom in the Premier League table but remained confident that he was the man to keep them up. The club had other ideas however, looking to Benitez who had been out of a job since getting sacked by Real Madrid earlier in the season.

On being confirmed as manager, Benitez issued a rallying cry to his troops saying:

“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.

‘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.

‘Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can’t be happier.

‘C’mon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement!’

Managing director Lee Charnley added: ‘I am very pleased to welcome Rafa Benitez to the club. 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.’

The Toon seemed to be destined for relegation but the sacking of McClaren and appointment of Benitez may just go down as the decision that saved Newcastle’s season.