Rafa Benitez's backroom team '˜surprised' by what has happened behind the scenes at Newcastle

Benitez succeeded Steve McClaren at the club this month.

The Champions League-winner has been tasked with keeping the relegation-threatened club in the Premier League.

And Benitez – who, unlike McClaren, was appointed as manager, and not head coach – says his backroom team have been “surprised” by the authority he has at St James’s Park.

Managing director Lee Charnley has given Benitez everything he has asked for so far at second-bottom United.

Asked if there had been any “resistance” to his changes and methods at the club, Benitez said: “No, the support from the club, from the staff, from the players, from the fans – everyone – has been fantastic.

“Antonio (Gomez Perez, coach) was with me at Liverpool, and Paco (Fabio Pecchia, assistant manager).

“Francisco (de Miguel Moreno, coach) is from Italy and he’s come from Italian football – he played for Juventus, Napoli and Bologna – and he was my assistant in Italy and also in Madrid.

“He’s surprised because everybody helping here, because you are in charge of all the issues. So if I have to do something, I can do it.

“I don’t need to talk with Lee (Charnley), it’s fine.

“I don’t need to ask for anything because they give me everything if I need something.

“So at the moment everybody is here to help because we now how important it is to stay (up).”

Benitez’s authority contrasts sharply with that of McClaren, who, while on the club’s board, had a more limited influence at Newcastle during his troubled eight-month tenure.

United are preparing for Saturday’s crucial game against 17th-placed Norwich City at Carrow Road.