Former Champions League winning manager Rafa Benitez has signed a new three-year contract to stay on as Newcastle United’s manager.
The Guardian is reporting that the club has indicated the Spaniard, will have control over player recruitment and transfer budget, something previous managers have clashed with owner Mike Ashley over.
Benitez agreed to the three-year deal under the insurance that he will have final say over the make-up of his squad.
Two weeks ago, Newcastle fans wrote an open letter to their manager, pleading with him to stay on and help guide the club back to the Premier League. It played a massive role in his decision to stay.
“I am extremely pleased to be staying at Newcastle United, The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence for me in my decision to stay, as was my relationship with [the managing director] Lee Charnley and all the staff. This is a huge club and I wanted to be part of the great future I can see for Newcastle United.”
Charmley has called Benitez a phenomenal manager, and the results that Benitez produced the last two months of the season proved that, as the former Liverpool boss came agonisingly close to pulling the club out of the relegation battle.
“We are therefore delighted to have secured his services for the next three years and I believe with Rafa as manager it gives us the best possible chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking and delivering success for this football club beyond that.
“It is clear that Rafa has connected deeply with the club’s supporters and we do not underestimate the role they have played in his decision to stay.
“He has captured the hearts and minds not just of the fans, but of everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him at the club thus far.
“As a world-class manager we had no doubt in our minds as to the importance of retaining him at Newcastle United.”
Newshub
