Newcastle United have announced that former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will be their new manager, with the Spaniard having signed a three-year deal.
The Magpies took a decision to sack Steve McClaren earlier this afternoon, after holding talks with the former England manager over the last couple of days.
Newcastle United have lost their last six games in the Premier League, and their last defeat at Bournemouth left the club languishing in 19th in the league table, just above Aston Villa at the bottom.
Benitez was being tipped to replace McClaren since the start of the week, and the club have finally taken the decision to appoint the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss to save their season.
A statement on the club’s official website read: "Newcastle United is delighted to announce the appointment of Rafa Benitez as the club's new manager. Benitez joins United on an initial three-year deal."
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Benitez’s immediate remit is to get the maximum out of the current Newcastle United squad for the last ten games of the season and avoid relegation to the Championship.
The Spaniard won the Champions League during his time as Liverpool manager and also picked up the Europa League at Chelsea, where he was appointed as interim boss.
Benitez brings in his own backroom team, meaning Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black all leave St. James' Park.
