Perez Looking Forward To Rafa's Reign

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Ayoze Perez says he's looking forward to working with compatriot Rafa Benitez - and believes the former Real Madrid boss can "be the man" to steer Newcastle United away from the relegation zone.

Perez's fellow countryman arrived on Tyneside on Friday to take the reins at St. James' Park, and will take charge of Monday night's trip to Barclays Premier League leaders Leicester City (8pm kick-off).

And Perez believes that the time has now come for the players to "do our jobs" as they seek to give Benitez the perfect start to life on Tyneside with a win at the King Power Stadium.

"It's big news for us. We're really looking forward to trying to save the season and obviously Rafa can be the man," said the 22-year-old.

"We know he's a top manager. He's been with big teams and it's something good for us, so we're looking forward to working with him. We worked with him on Friday, and now we've got ten more games to try and save the season.

"It's the right time, with ten games to go. It's a lot, but you have to think about it game by game. We have to try and take points and get results, believe in ourselves and do our jobs."

Early on in his managerial career, Madrid-born Benitez had a spell in charge of Perez's former club Tenerife, who the ex-Liverpool boss guided to promotion to La Liga in 2001.

And forward Perez, who has bagged five goals in a black and white shirt so far this campaign, reckons a fresh start under the new manager may just be what's needed if the Magpies are to preserve their top-flight status.

"Every club he has been at, he's been really good. I was really young when he got that promotion with Tenerife, but the most important thing is we want to turn around this situation, get results and obviously everyone will be happy if we save this season," he said.

"You have to change your mindset a little bit, but in a good way. You feel like the past is gone, and this is something new. It's good for the team, and I think this news is going to be important - crucial. I could see the team trained yesterday with really good intensity.

"Everyone is happy and looking forward to improve, and to playing against Leicester. As soon as possible we want to win games again and get better results."

With such a stellar CV behind him, Benitez's appointment sees Newcastle become his latest port of call in a coaching career that has encompassed stints at Valencia, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli, among other high-profile clubs.

And Perez believes the Magpies are a club with stature befitting of a trophy-winning boss like Benitez, and has called for focus as they prepare for the testing end-of-season run-in.

"Rafa Benitez has got a good name everywhere and everyone knows him, so that's why he's here in a big club trying to get success," he said.

"Newcastle is a big club, and we are not where we should be, so that's why Rafa is here - to try to get us a good position. It's a good challenge. Now we have to be focused on these ten games."