Rafa Benitez has signed a three-year contract with Newcastle United as he replaces Steve McClaren.

Benitez was manager of Napoli at the end of last season before going to Real Madrid with his stay ending quickly in early January.

The club’s managing director, Lee Charnley, added: “I am very pleased to welcome Rafa Benítez to the club. In Rafa we have, without doubt, secured the services of one of Europe’s top managers. He has managed some of the most successful teams at the very highest level of the game and we are proud to now have him as our manager. Our sole focus now is to give our full support to Rafa, his coaching team and the players in order to secure our status in the Premier League. I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black for their service to the club.”

Benítez won the 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA Cup during his time in charge of Liverpool, and finished second in the Premier League in 2009.

 

Newcastle is battling to prevent relegation.