The Spanish media often can’t decide whether Rafa Benitez managing Newcastle United in the Championship is a sign of his career taking a dramatic downward spiral, or another signal that football in England has become so big that even jobs deemed to be lesser are now important.
There was a curiosity when Aitor Karanka took over at Middlesbrough, but Benitez taking a difficult Newcastle job, and then dropping down to the Championship was another thing altogether.
Spanish newspaper Marca have an article in their Thursday edition, explaining how Benitez and Newcastle are on the up. There’s a real feel good factor around the club, and it’s generating interest in Spain.
If Benitez can march Newcastle United to the Championship title at his first attempt, then what was a negative period of his career will be turned on its head.
The second division of English football is notoriously difficult, so Benitez, a man more used to managing Champions League teams rather than Championship teams, will see his reputation in Spain grow further.
Marca say Newcastle United fans love their manager, and explain how 3000 supporters sang for him after the last match. The whole Newcastle and Benitez package is now being seen through positive Spanish eyes, rather than confused and slightly contemptuous ones.
