Rafa Benitez reveals his highs and lows from his first nine months at Newcastle

Rafa Benitez has revealed his highs and lows from his career to date at Newcastle United.
Rafa Benitez at Nottingham Forest this seasonRafa Benitez at Nottingham Forest this season
Rafa Benitez at Nottingham Forest this season

The club has had a rollercoaster year.

And relegation from the Premier League was the single worst memory for Benitez, who succeeded Steve McClaren at St James’s Park in March.

However, there have been brighter moments for Benitez, whose side lead the Championship by a point ahead of this afternoon’s home game against Sheffield Wednesday.

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United manager Benitez said: “What I have this year is very good and very bad memories.

“The best memory is when we beat Tottenham (5-1) at home. The atmosphere and the fans were amazing. That is my best.

“The worst memory was when we got relegated. That was an awful feeling when Sunderland beat Everton (to relegate Newcastle).

“It was strange for me, because we weren’t playing. In Spain, the last two games of the season are played at the same time, so nobody has an advantage. It was strange for me.”

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Benitez’s highlight of the Championship so far is the club’s 6-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

“This year, the QPR game ... we did really, really well – that was the best memory,” said Benitez.

“The worst? Nottingham Forest when we had the two players sent off (and lost 2-1) was very strange.”

Asked for a mark out of 10 for the season so far, Benitez added: “In terms of a mark, I think we have plenty of room for improvement. We are far away from 10, but not below 5.”