Benitez Explains Training Ground Redevelopment Plans

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Work is underway to redevelop parts of Newcastle United's Benton training ground in line with Rafa Benitez's vision for the Club.

Just hours after he agreed to stay on as the Magpies' manager last month, Benitez met with managing director Lee Charnley and facilities manager Eddie Rutherford to conduct a full and thorough review of United's North Tyneside base.

And within a matter of days, contractors had arrived on site to start working on improvements - many of which will be in place by the time the squad returns for pre-season training later this summer.

"We have already started on a lot of improvements to the training ground," Benitez said in an interview with The Chronicle.

"The purpose with everything we are doing there is to improve the environment that the players train in and the equipment and the facilities that they use so they are able to perform to their optimum level.

"We had to consider not to disturb the preparation of the team and at the same time to improve the facilities.

"So we are renovating the inside structure of the building, creating new spaces for working and for relaxing.

"We will have double sessions on some days, so it is important that the players have spaces to relax and refresh and also to build the team spirit together.

"We have already improved the gym, bringing in new and better equipment which will be a big improvement.

"We will also be resurfacing the artificial pitch inside the indoor facility. It will be a 4G surface which is much better for the players to train on; there is less impact on the body and less problems with injuries.

"If our supporters play in their five-a-side teams perhaps, then they will know themselves the difference between a poor quality artificial pitch and a 4G pitch.

"The indoor hall is a very good facility and we need to make sure that it has a top quality surface so that we can make use of it for training throughout the year, but especially when the weather is bad outside in the winter. That's really important.

"We are also putting a 4G pitch in at the Academy.

"Another important change we are making is to bring in an administrator to work with the players and their families.

"This will be someone who speaks English, French, Spanish, to help players settle at the Club and in the city and be sure that they are able to focus 100 per cent on the football."

Speaking about the days since he signed a new deal to remain with the Club, Benitez explained: "The first few days after I confirmed I was staying, I spent in Newcastle at the training ground and the Academy, meeting with staff and planning the changes we needed to make to these areas of the Club.

"But since then I have been back at home with my family, relaxing a little bit, but at the same time working very hard with Lee (Charnley) and everybody at the Club on a lot of things, especially - of course - looking at players, analysing and making important decisions about the squad and the transfer window.

"What me and Lee are focused on is making sure we keep and build a very strong squad for the Championship so that we can compete well and get back into the Premier League the season after.

"We don't have to sell, that is clear, unless we think it is the right thing to do for the Club and for the squad.

"But also the level of performance that the team showed at the end of the season makes me feel sure that we have already the basis of a good team for next season.

"I can assure fans that the business we are doing at the moment and that we will be doing over the next few weeks is all aimed at making the squad stronger than it is at the moment.

"We are very busy and things are very positive, the Euros makes things a bit difficult for every club, but as soon we can announce things about the squad we will tell our supporters."