How will Rafa Benitez fare at St. James’ Park?

Rafa Benitez, former Champions League winner and all-round fan favourite within the Anfield faithful, may be in for somewhat of a culture shock when he takes his first match as Newcastle United manager next time out against the formidable Leicester City.

 

In a mere matter of months, the 55-year-old Spanish tactician has gone from managing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, to having to get his affairs in order for the upcoming relegation dog-fight likely to take place on Tyneside between now and the final culmination of the 2015/16 campaign.

 

So then, as the ex-Liverpool boss is arguably about to embark upon one of the greatest challenges of his entire managerial career – will Rafa Benitez ultimately succeed at Newcastle, or could the bold Spaniard simply end up with the same fate as Steve McClaren with the Magpies sooner rather than later?

 

Well, although Rafa’s initial appointment in the North East may have come as somewhat of a surprise among some Premier League onlookers this week…

 

Exclusive footage of Rafa's reaction when he was offered a £3m bonus to keep Newcastle up! #RafaFact https://t.co/v36T2aaYfj

— #RafaFact (@RafaFacts_) 13 March 2016

 

…it seems most football supporters seemingly remain relatively impressed with the appointment…

 

Newcastle will stay up now & next season they will be laying down the foundations for the season after. Benitez will do well there. #NUFC

— Zeus #COYS (@superspurs34) 11 March 2016

 

The boys down at the BBC have had their say on the matter over the past few days…

 

Will Rafael Benitez keep Newcastle up? Dion Dublin is skeptical… #NUFC https://t.co/w7IhWrM1e8

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) 12 March 2016

 

…and it’s fair to say that not everybody is convinced of Newcastle’s survival hopes in 2015/16…

 

Benitez looks way too happy walking into Newcastle today. That smile is gonna flip flop in no time. Hardest job in the Premiership ??

— Kevin Wesley (@Kalel12Wesley) 11 March 2016

 

The vast majority of Geordie fans nonetheless seem over the moon regarding Steve McClaren’s recent departure from their club…

 

Thank god mclaren has gone from Newcastle ????

— Cuppa T (@Tylerclarke96) 11 March 2016

 

…and in light of all the resources that were in-fact spent by the St. James' hierarchy this season, perhaps such an outlook is justified in the end…  

 

£80m spent 19th place. Another plonker given a job because he's a yes man! On the scrap heap you go with Carver. #GoodbyeMcClown #DamageDone

— The True Geordie (@TrueGeordieNUFC) 11 March 2016

 

With everything fairly taken into account, it seems as if Rafa Benitez could easily prove a successful appointment on Tyneside when all is said and done…

 

People forget how much of a successful manager Benitez was, did wonders with Valencia and Liverpool, even won a European comp with Chelsea!

— Max Bateman (@MxBateman) 11 March 2016

 

…despite the clear sense of suspicion regarding the terms of his recently signed contract…

 

So Benitez has insisted on break out clause if Newcastle are relegated because he is 'convinced' they will do well. Right…

— Martin Laurence (@martinlaurence7) 12 March 2016

 

…the future now looks a whole lot brighter for the St. James’ faithful and Newcastle United on the whole, even if Mike Ashley and co. have seemingly left it a bit late within the grand scheme of things!

 

Don't get me wrong I'm over the moon we've got Benitez but I think I would have been more excited had it been 5 games ago #NUFC

— Cr8ig10 (@cr8ig10) 11 March 2016