Newcastle United have moved on from the Steve McLaren era by appointing Rafa Benitez as their new manager.
Perennial bottom-feeders Newcastle United moved on from Steve McLaren causing fans to rejoice. However, that celebration won’t be lasting long since they have just appointed Rafa Benitez as his successor. The club made the appointment official on their website where the Spaniard issued this statement:
"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!"
Newcastle fans aren’t as excited about this hiring as the board is, judging by the club’s latest tweet.
BREAKING: Rafa Benítez confirmed as Newcastle United manager https://t.co/O4V9NssMqz #NUFC pic.twitter.com/ywlGb16vTJ
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 11, 2016
For Benitez, it’s a big change in direction going from coaching a Real Madrid team who had aspirations of winning titles to now a Newcastle team that’s fighting to stave off relegation. As such, his expectations are much lower but still important nonetheless.
Benitez is an experienced coach and has won a lot at the club level, but the consensus has been that he is no longer a world-class manager, and hasn’t been since 2010. While it is perhaps true that Benitez was sacked too soon at Real Madrid, and that they are a revolving door when it comes to manager, he still did a poor job of player management there.
His last spell in the Premier League came as a caretaker manager for Chelsea after they had sacked Roberto Di Matteo and he crippled the team by selling Daniel Sturridge and buying Demba Ba. Winning the Europa League hardly did enough to make up for it.
Just because he’s not expected to win the Premier League with Newcastle, the fans are still very passionate and will not be afraid to voice their displeasure as they have in the past. As it stands, they are in a dogfight to avoid the drop zone with one point separating them, Norwich City, and Sunderland.
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