Rafa Benitez steers Newcastle back to Premier League at the first time of asking
Spaniard succeeds in his gamble of staying on as manager as he steers magpies straight back to the top tier with a 4-1 win over Preston
Rafael Benitez succeeded in his gamble of staying on as manager as he steered Newcastle United straight back up to the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Preston on Monday.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss stayed on after they were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season and even though Newcastle stumbled of late, the victory over Preston guaranteed a top two finish.
The Magpies became only the seventh team out of 18 to go straight back up in the past six years.
For 57-year-old Benitez there was a glimmer of a smile at the end – although he is not one known for wearing his heart on his sleeve – and a qualified response as to whether he would remain with the club.
He was known not to be satisfied at the lack of investment in players in the January transfer window.