Archive
Janmaat Hoping Benitez Will Stay
Written by Newcastle Utd
Daryl Janmaat is backing Newcastle to return to the top flight - and believes Rafa Benitez is the man to take them there
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Daryl Janmaat believes Rafa Benitez is the man to lead Newcastle back into the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Dutch defender wrapped up the scoring in Sunday's 5-1 win over Tottenham as United ended their campaign on a high note despite the disappointment of relegation.
An impressive 12 points from their final six matches wasn't enough to keep the Magpies in the top flight, but highlighted their dramatic improvement under Benitez.
The former Real Madrid boss is currently weighing up his future, but the supporters chanted his name before, during and after the game and Janmaat is also hoping that the 56-year-old Spaniard will stay at St. James' Park.
"He did a great job," Janmaat told nufcTV. "He's a great manager.
"This is a big Club and it needs a big manager. That's him and I think he has to stay."
For Janmaat - who won the Club's player of the season award in 2014/15 and picked up the North-East Football Writers' player of the year award last November - it was a mixed campaign and he missed most of the relegation run-in through injury.
But he was glad to help the team sign off in style, and hopes the Club's stay in the Championship will be a short one.
The right-back said: "Six games unbeaten and we finished with a 5-1 win against Tottenham - that's a good finish, but it was still a disappointing season because we were relegated and now we have to start again.
"We have to look forward now. The Club's the most important thing at the moment and this Club needs to be in the Premier League as soon as possible.
"(The fans) need success and deserve success - and hopefully in the future we get it.
"We have to go forward now and come back as soon as possible in the Premier League."
You can watch the full nufcTV interview with Daryl Janmaat here