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3 Things The Premier League Fans Can Expect From Rafael Benitez At Newcastle United

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benitez

Three Things Premier League Fans Can Expect From Rafa Benitez Next Season

Eyebrows were raised when Rafael Benitez took charge of the historic Newcastle United midway through the 2015/16 season. Though the Magpies couldn’t avoid relegation, one thing that was expected was their immediate promotion, as Rafa decided to stay with Newcastle in the Championship. They’ve done so, and done so in style, by winning the EFL Championship. Although it was done on the final day of the campaign at the expense of Brighton, it was a commendable achievement and it would not have been possible without Rafael Benitez.

Benitez needs no introduction. He has won it all, including a second tier title and kudos to him for sticking with Newcastle despite their relegation. Now that they’re back in the Premier League, the fans will be pumped up more than ever and you cannot blame them for hoping that the old glory days come back to their club as well.

While that could be the expectation of the Newcastle fans, what can the Premier League fans, in general, expect from the Spaniard? Let’s have a look.

An Old Club With A New Face

Newcastle United are a club with some great history. Ever since the club was founded in 1892, there has been an aura of consistency about them. The fact that they have been in the top-flight for all but 4 years in the competition’s history speaks volumes about them. They have won the league 4 times in 85 years of being in the English top-flight and also have 6 FA Cup titles to their name.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez

Success has been hard to come by for Newcastle for many years now. But the atmosphere at the club has never been so positive like it is right now. That is the change that Benitez has brought about at St. James’ Park. A club like Newcastle deserves to compete with the best in the country and Benitez can make them do that.

He has been in the Premier League before and has even won the Champions League title during his time at Liverpool. He has seen it all and won it all. He’d certainly be aware of the demands of the English top-flight and surely, he will be well-prepared to deal with it.

Expect Rafael Benitez to present to us an all-new Newcastle United with renewed hope and optimism.

Quality Players In The Newcastle Ranks

The club is well-known for the big name players that they are used to having. Hughie Gallacher, Frank Brennan, Malcolm Macdonald, Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and many more extraordinary players have graced us in the stripes of Black and White.

Of late though, star names have been missing in the Newcastle United ranks and that has largely been down to the lack of success. However, with Rafael Benitez in charge, expect Newcastle United to sign some quality players and grace us. No matter which club we support, we cannot really deny the fact that we all respect the Magpies for what they were and what they are.

Rafael Benitez and Gouffran of Newcastle

Now that he has decided to let go of players like Sammy Ameobi, Vurnon Anita, Florian Thauvin, Haris Vuckic, and possibly, Yoan Gouffran too, expect Rafa to bring in players of better quality. The Premier League is not alien to witnessing top talents take the football pitches in England and surely, Benitez will contribute to the same by signing more talented players.

A Push For European Qualification

The teams that get promoted to the top tier usually aim to only stay afloat there for a couple of seasons before aiming for bigger things. However, that wouldn’t be the case with Rafa’s Newcastle. Being a manager who has won accolades in his career, it is not a step too big for him to make his team challenge for something bigger than just staying alive in the Premier League.

Expect him to aim for a European finish come the end of the season. The list of retained players released by the club shows that the management is aiming for something similar. So the signs are all positive and Premier League can witness one of the most beautiful sights of a historic club once again regaining its status as a big club after losing the stature in recent years.

While the phenomenon happens, watch Rafael Benitez in the midst of all, guiding his team with a big heart and a big-club mentality.