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Rafa Reveals Key Factors In His Decision To Stay
Written by Newcastle Utd
Manager Rafa Benitez has expressed his delight after putting pen to paper on a new initial three-year deal with United
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Manager Rafa Benitez has expressed his delight after putting pen to paper on a new initial three-year deal at Newcastle United.
The Spaniard, whose new contract will keep him at St. James' Park until at least the summer of 2019, committed his future to the Club on Wednesday afternoon.
Benitez - who took charge of the final ten games of the season just gone following his arrival in March - led the Magpies on a six-match unbeaten run as they brought the curtain down on the campaign with a 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on the final day.
And, having put an end to speculation surrounding his future, the former Real Madrid boss has revealed three key elements which influenced his decision to remain on Tyneside.
"The first things for me were the fans, the stature of the Club and the future," he said. "I have seen all these things together.
"I said in my press conference that I came here because of that, and I could see these things every day, and especially the last game (against Tottenham Hotspur).
"I'm really pleased - really happy - to be here."
Benitez will have day-to-day responsibility for all football-related matters at the Club.
And the Champions League-winning boss - who spoke highly of his working relationship with United's managing director Lee Charnley - has assured supporters that he will be doing his utmost to guide the Magpies back into the top flight at the first attempt.
"Football business I will have responsibility for, but the main thing for me is that I have the assurances that we will have a strong team, we will have a winning team," he said.
"The fans have to be sure that I will try to build a strong squad, a strong team, and if I am here it is because I am sure we can do it.
"My relationship with Lee Charnley has been really good, and I'm really pleased to be working with him. I haven't seen any problems in terms of when I was asking for something. They were trying to give me what I wanted and in this case, when we were talking about the future, it was quite positive so I'm really pleased about that.
"It seems to me that everything is being done in a football way, and I am a football man, so for me that is really, really important."
With the start of the new season just over a couple of months away, the United manager has pledged that his team will be ready for the challenges that await them in the Championship.
But he has reiterated the requisite qualities that he expects from his side as they look to mount a promotion challenge over the coming 12 months.
"We have to work hard. We have to do things in the way that we did before - be professional, be serious, train well, prepare for every single game like a final and be sure that we're strong enough to beat anyone," he said.
"At the same time, we have to work harder than everyone.
"It's a challenge because (the Championship)'s very difficult. I know that there are good teams, intensity and some stadiums are quite difficult (places to go) too. It's a challenge - we know it's an exciting league and we know that we have to be ready."