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Newcastle United: Ten reasons why 2016-2017 won’t suck

By Sean Maslin

SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 09: Rafael Benitez manager of Newcastle United kicks the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on April 9, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 09: Rafael Benitez manager of Newcastle United kicks the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on April 9, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) /
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NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 1: Newcastle Unitedâs Manager Rafael Benitez during the Newcastle United Open Training Session at St.James’ Park on August 1, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 1: Newcastle Unitedâs Manager Rafael Benitez during the Newcastle United Open Training Session at St.James’ Park on August 1, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) /

Reason #2 Rafa Benitez

There is almost always a pattern when it comes to relegated teams. Management, sensing the end is near, fires their incumbent coach and signs either a coach who is a name or someone who has a history of “fixing” bad situations quickly. The team more often than not gets relegated and the coach then leaves. Rinse, lather, repeat.

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A funny thing happened in Newcastle this offseason: Rafa Benitez stayed. Despite having interest from other sides in Europe and even the Spanish national team, Benitez opted to stay at St. James’ Park. The former Liverpool gaffer signed a four-year contract with the team in June.

So why did Benitez choose to stay? In Benitez’s words back in June, “The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence for me.” Awww, way to win over the hearts of the Toon Army Rafa!

What will be interesting to see during this season is what Benitez will be able to do with this side with a bit of time. As opposed to taking another high-profile job where he might only have a handful of months to build a squad, Benitez will have time not just to build their starting eleven but a youth academy as well. Very rarely do coaches in this modern era actually have a chance to build an identity. Benitez will have that chance this season.

Next: Reason #3: Matt Ritchie

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