Rafa Benitez takes over as Newcastle manager after Steve McClaren is fired
Spaniard, who signs a three-year agreement, will start his first match in charge of the Magpies on Monday against surprise league leaders Leicester
Rafael Benitez started this season tasked with winning the Champions League with Real Madrid. He will end it trying to keep Newcastle in the English Premier League.
The Spaniard replaced Steve McClaren as manager on Friday, signing a three-year deal with the club that is 19th in the 20-team standings, but only a point from safety.
“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 the former Liverpool manager, before taking the first training session with his new players.
We feel that a change is now needed in order to give the club the best possible chance of securing its Premier League future
“Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can’t be happier.”
Benitez was dismissed as coach of Madrid in January, winning 17 of his 25 matches with the team.
His first game in charge of Newcastle will be against surprise Premier League leaders Leicester on Monday, before facing 17th-place Sunderland the following Sunday in a relegation fight.
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Northeast rivals Sunderland is led by Sam Allardyce, who has an ongoing feud with Benitez from 2009.