Benitez takes over at Newcastle, given rescue mission

Benitez

Rafael Benitez returned to English football on Friday with the task of saving Newcastle United from Premier League relegation after the struggling north-east side announced the Spaniard as their new manager.

Former Liverpool boss Benitez, sacked by Real Madrid earlier this season, has signed a three-year deal with Newcastle, who are currently second-bottom in the table with just 10 league games remaining this term.

His appointment was announced just hours after Newcastle confirmed earlier on Friday that they had sacked former manager Steve McClaren.

“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 Benitez in a Newcastle statement.

“It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the club and the fans.”

Benitez, who arrived at Newcastle’s St James’ Park ground shortly after 2pm local time on Friday for talks with club officials, was Liverpool’s manager from 2004-2010 and also had a brief stint as Chelsea caretaker boss during the 2012/13 season.

He tried to rally Newcastle’s increasingly frustrated supporters by saying: “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.”

The 55-year-old added: “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!”