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Rafa Benitez: Pundits react to Newcastle appointment

By Russell Hughes

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - APRIL 9: Shay Given of Newcastle hands the captain's arm band over to Nolberto Solano as he leaves the field injured, during the Barclays Premiership match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St. James' Park on April 9, 2007 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Newcastle United via Getty images)
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - APRIL 9: Shay Given of Newcastle hands the captain's arm band over to Nolberto Solano as he leaves the field injured, during the Barclays Premiership match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St. James' Park on April 9, 2007 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Newcastle United via Getty images) /
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Rafa Benitez has been appointed the Newcastle United manager.

Former head coach Steve McClaren was fired on Friday, and the Spaniard was swiftly installed in the St. James’ Park hotseat.

McClaren had led the club to second bottom in the league with only 10 games of the season left, and despite Benitez’s pedigree it will be a tough ask for him.

The players were due to have a day off today, but the former Liverpool manager called them in for training – in a stark contrast to Joe Kinnear, who let them have a day off when he was appointed.

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The move will galvanise a dressing room that had looked demoralised and unwilling to fight, while giving a much needed kick up the backside to a few players.

Click through the slides below to see how players and pundits reacted to the news.

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