Rafa Shares Coaching Expertise

Manager Rafa Benitez welcomed Academy coaching staff to the first team Training Centre on Wednesday as he outlined his coaching philosophy for Newcastle United.

The coaches were invited to watch the morning training session, with Benitez talking them through the various drills and explaining how he plans and executes his sessions.

The Magpies' Spanish boss also put on an extra theory session with all the coaches in the Club's strategy room, with the aim of sharing his expertise and aligning training methods throughout the Club to ensure players are fully acquainted with United's common coaching practices as they progress through the ranks.

"It's important when you have a lot of experience as a coach and manager to pass on your knowledge and techniques to others, especially within the Club," said Benitez.

"Joe Joyce, Peter Beardsley, Ben Dawson and myself have agreed it would be useful to give them my thoughts to help them develop and also to create a consistent approach to training throughout the club, from the Academy right through to the first team.

"That is important for the development of our young players, to have this consistent approach in the way they are coached - something that runs throughout the players' development at our Club."

Academy manager Joe Joyce added: "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to take our coaches up to the first team Training Centre to work with Rafa and his staff and we are very appreciative of the opportunity afforded to us.

"It was a great learning experience for us, both in the sessions with the first team squad and then afterwards with Rafa explaining and outlining his coaching methods to the group."