Former Newcastle United assistant manager has praised Rafael Benitez.
Former Newcastle United player and assistant manager Terry McDermott has dubbed Rafael Benitez as the “great one”.
The 65-year-old, who played alongside Kevin Keegan, and was his assistant manager as well at Newcastle, finds similarities between Benitez and the Toon legend.
Keegan took over a struggling Newcastle side, and not only made them an entertaining team to watch, but also came close to winning the Premier League in 1996.
The Spaniard, likewise, took charge of the Newcastle side that suffered relegation. He guided the Magpies back into the Premier League, and has transformed the club both on and off the pitch.
McDermott says that Benitez is a top manager, and hails him as the “great one” because he has been great over the years.
“He’s a top manager, isn’t he?”, McDermott told NUFCTV, as quoted by The Chronicle. “He’s not just any manager; Jose (Mourinho) keeps saying he’s the ‘special one’, but I think Rafa is the ‘great one’, because he has been a great over the years. I just hope he’s going to be here for the long haul.”
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho famously said that he’s the “special one” when he joined Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp addressed himself as the “normal one” when he took charge at Liverpool. The title “great one” for Benitez should bode well amongst the Newcastle fans.
Benitez is loved by the Newcastle fans, and McDermott hopes that the Spaniard stays at the club for a long time.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
