With their relegation from the Premier League confirmed, it soon became clear that Newcastle United supporters were keen for Rafa Benitez to stay on at the club and help them seal promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking.
Local paper, the Newcastle Chronicle, even went as far as printing an open letter on their a front-page begging the Spaniard to extend his stay on Tyneside.
https://twitter.com/jamiewh_/status/731010818741936128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It seems to have worked.
Reports claim that the man that was managing Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema at the start of the season has agreed to try and navigate his way out of the shark-infested water that is the Championship next season.
Confirmation of the three-year deal is expected on Wednesday, with Benitez pictured back in the North East following a short break at his family home in Merseyside.
In Rafa Benitez, Newcastle's fans finally have a manager who thinks like they do | @dionfanning on the #NUFC manager https://t.co/3ezTKUkVxh
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 29, 2016
Despite being in charge of the club when they were relegated, Benitez was only appointed by the club in March with Newcastle already facing the prospect of the drop following Steve McClaren’s disastrous spell at the helm.
An upturn in form for fellow-strugglers Sunderland eventually saw Newcastle lose their Premier League status.
Benitez is also said to have identified several transfer targets as he prepares to sign a new contract.
Given the circumstances, it’s quite a coup for Newcastle United.
And certainly their fans couldn’t be happier with the news.
Rafa. I have no words to describe how happy I am! This is the best thing to happen to #nufc in years – bring on the championship!! 🎉
— Jake Potter (@jakeypotter) May 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/_TheDuffmeister/status/735449587834617856
https://twitter.com/mc2810/status/735449633237962752
Being relegated was the best thing that could have happened. Rafa will sort the club top to bottom #NUFC
— CC (@JamesHunt07) May 25, 2016
Rafa Benitez in the championship with #NUFC, you've gotta give him credit for accepting the challenge of getting us back where we belong
— Sam Nicholles (@SamNicholles) May 25, 2016
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