Newcastle United: Top 5 moments of the decade
By Durim Halimi
#1. Rafa Benitez Decides to Stay (2016)
Newcastle United were relegated at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, but loud cheers and chants of “Rafa Benitez, Rafa Benitez, Rafa Benitez” echoed around St. James’ Park after Newcastle United defeated Tottenham 5-1. Despite being relegated, the Toon Army utilized the conclusion of the game to express their desire for Rafa Benitez to stay on as manager.
Benitez has publicly admitted that the affection the supporters showed him on the final day of the 2015-16 season convinced him to stay on Tyneside. The loyalty the Toon Army showed Benitez on May 15th truly saved this club. Their chants led to a turning point for Newcastle United.
With a world class manager on the sideline, Newcastle United earned immediate promotion back to the Premier League. The Magpies are now enjoying their third consecutive season in the top tier of English football. Benitez has transformed this club from being relegation favorites to being a competitive mid-table side.
Had Benitez turned his back on the club in May of 2016, one can confidently assume that chaos and instability would have taken over at St. James’ Park. Benitez is now out of the picture, but his decision to stick with the Magpies despite having to manage the team in the Championship a few years ago kept the hope of Newcastle United reaching new heights alive.
Benitez’s departure this summer marks one of the worst moments of the decade for Newcastle United, but we have to be grateful for his contribution. All we can do now is appreciate his decision to lead the Magpies back to the top flight and place that decision among the most significant moments in the club’s history.