The Magpies have replaced Fabio Pecchia already.
Pecchia (L) is the new manager of Verona
Newcastle United have moved quick to replace assistant coach Fabio Pecchia, appointing Mikel Antia a day after the Italian was hired as the new Verona manager.
Information on the new man – who links up with existing backroom staff members Francisco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Pérez, Ian Cathro and Simon Smith on Tyneside – is pretty scarce, with not even a Wikipedia page to call on.
Fear not, however, as we’ve found five facts to get you up to speed:
St James’ Park, Newcastle: Antia’s new home
5) Antia was born in San Sebastian on 13 February, 1973, making him 43 years of age.
4) As a youth he turned out for Spanish giants Valencia and Real Madrid.
3) Having turned professional, Antia went on to represent the Whites at various levels – appearing as a defender under Benitez in Real’s B team.
2) The Basque later played for Celta Vigo and Real Valladolid, before returning to his hometown where he spent three seasons at Real Sociedad.
Antia in his La Real days
1) Antia arrives at St. James’ Park via the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar – whose global ambassadors include Pele, Lionel Messi, Xavi and Raul.
New Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola conducts a Bayern Munich training session at Qatar’s Aspire Academy
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