The Spaniard has led Newcastle United to the top of the Championship this season.
Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie has told talkSPORT that Rafa Benitez has sparked a change in mentality in the North East.
The Spaniard arrived at the club in March earlier this year when Steve McClaren was sacked after a disastrous spell in charge.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
He was unable to keep them in the Premier League and despite rumours of an exit clause in his contract, elected to stay at St James Park.
Since then he has led the Magpies to the top of the Championship table, where they currently sit three points ahead of second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
There is fresh optimism surrounding the club, with some going as far as to liken him to legendary boss Sir Bobby Robson and Ritchie says he has sparked a change in mentality at the club and the city.
“Since the manager came in it has changed,” he told talkSPORT.
“It’s probably been a change in mentality, not just in the group of players but also the club and the city as a whole.”
“You have to come up here to see it but the place is buzzing. Everyone you see, everyone you speak to is just buzzing about the last result and the next game. It’s just unbelievable.”
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez
Ritchie has also praised the hard-working mentality that is currently in force in the dressing room.
The Magpies headed into this season as clear favourites for many, something that could have easily sparked a sense of complacency among the squad.
Luckily that has not happened and Ritchie was full of praise, saying it would have been easy for some to sit back given the quality they have at their disposal.
“The biggest thing is the mentality,” he added.
“With a lot of the players in our dressing room, it’d be easy to sit in there and expect someone else to sort of do something special week in-week out.”
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
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