Garry Monk has done a better job than Newcastle United's Rafa Benitez, says ex-Leeds United star

Whelan, a pundit and commentator on BBC Radio Leeds, believes that because of the budget available to Benitez on Tyneside that he is only doing what is expected.

Whereas he thinks the Whites are outstripping expectations under ex-Swansea boss Monk.

"With Leeds, I would say Garry Monk has probably done a better job," said Whelan, who was at Leeds as a player between 1993-95.

"It’s difficult when you are on a budget and you have got to bring players in and you don’t have money available.

"Newcastle are on fire at the moment.

"Rafa Benitez seems to have got them firing on all cylinders and he's getting them adjusted to the Championship now and the way of playing and they are seeing the benefits from that.

"But in saying that, they've got international players in their ranks and you would expect Newcastle to be up there.

"So really, the job that Garry has done, is probably a little bit harder and he is a little bit more successful right now than Benitez."