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Rafa Benitez: How Newcastle boss went from Real Madrid to Championship in 12 months

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 14:  Rafael Benitez manager of Newcastle United looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match against Leicester City

As Rafa Benitez commits to managing Newcastle in the Championship, we look at how he's gone from Real Madrid to England's second tier in 12 months.

June

After winning the Coppa Italia in his first season in charge, Benitez's two years at Napoli had ended in disappointing fashion in May 2015, with the team missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the Serie A campaign. However, despite the club's fifth-place finish, speculation Benitez was set to be appointed by Real Madrid was rife.

Bernabeu to Burton

Rafa Benitez managed Real Madrid in front of 80,148 against Barcelona at the Bernabeu in 2015/16.

Next season he will take Newcastle to Burton Albion in the Championship, where the capacity of the Pirelli Stadium is 6,912.

On June 4, it was confirmed - Madrid-born Benitez, a former coach of Real's youth and 'B' teams, was going back to the Bernabeu.

Rafael Benitez and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez
Image: Rafael Benitez and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez at his presentation

Benitez, a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, said at his appointment: "It's an emotional day, a very special one. I have worked very hard to achieve success and return home, which was an aim of mine. The cycle is completed but I hope it lasts a long time.

"The Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey are our objectives, as Madrid must win each game."

Real Madrid's coach Rafael Benitez (R) gives instructions to Real Madrid's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale
Image: Benitez gives instructions to Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale

July

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Benitez began his Real Madrid tenure with globe-trotting friendlies in July. From Australia to China, comfortable wins over Manchester City and Inter Milan were sandwiched by goalless draws with Roma and AC Milan. However, the main focus was on how Benitez was attempting to fit Gareth Bale into a No 10 role, while keeping star man Cristiano Ronaldo happy.

Off the pitch, Benitez's wife was making headlines after claiming her husband was, once again, clearing up Jose Mourinho's mess at one of his former clubs. "If she takes care of her husband's diet, she will have less time to speak about me," retorted a less-than-impressed Mourinho.

August

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez watches Cristiano Ronaldo in a Melbourne training session.
Image: Benitez oversees Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid training

August brought the start of the 2015/16 season - but a goalless draw at Sporting Gijon was far from an ideal beginning for Benitez. If he was in any doubt about how closely his every result would be scrutinised while in charge of Los Blancos, the media storm in Spain - slamming his defensive approach, despite Real's 27 shots at goal - would have made the enormity of his task quite clear.

A 5-0 home win over Real Betis next time out silenced the critics... temporarily.  

September

Five games, four wins, 15 goals and only one conceded followed in September as Real's La Liga and Champions League campaigns gathered pace - although Benitez was left bemoaning Real's finishing after a 0-0 draw with Malaga.

"He's the best coach I've ever had," said Real Madrid president Florentino Perez - no doubt a satisfying compliment for Benitez, given the fact Perez had previously appointed Jose Mourinho.

Benitez to stay at Newcastle
Benitez to stay at Newcastle

Rafa Benitez and Newcastle have struck a deal to see him remain as manager, according to Sky sources

October

Real remained unbeaten through October - although a 1-1 draw at rivals Atletico Madrid drew more criticism of Benitez's style - and victory over Las Palmas at the end of the month ensured a third-straight week at the top of the La Liga table.

Real Madrid's coach Rafael Benitez shouts from the sideline
Image: Benitez steered Real Madrid to the top of La Liga

November

November started with a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Bernabeu but would turn out to be the month which sparked the beginning of the end for Benitez's tenure at Real Madrid.

A 3-2 defeat at a Sevilla side which had been defeated in three of their last four outings was Real's first loss of the season. The result left Real three points behind rivals Barcelona going into the international break, with El Clasico next up. And that's where the wheels truly came off.

Goals from Neymar, Andres Iniesta and a Luis Suarez brace handed Real a humiliating 4-0 defeat in front of their own fans, left them six points off the pace in the title race and threw Benitez's future into doubt.

Perez moved quickly to dispel rumours Benitez was to be sacked imminently but it would be a defeat the manager would never recover from, despite the team bouncing back to win five in a row.

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez
Image: A heavy defeat to Barcelona threw Benitez's future into doubt

December

Benitez saw his Real Madrid team crush the majority of their opposition in December, winning 4-1 over Getafe, 8-0 against Malmo, 10-2 at home to Rayo Vallecano and 3-1 versus Real Sociedad. However, a 1-0 loss at Villarreal had further damaged the club's title hopes ahead of the winter break.

January

Real Madrid's coach Rafael Benitez gestures on the sideline during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF
Image: Benitez's final game in charge of Real Madrid was against Valencia

Real Madrid started 2016 with a thrilling 2-2 draw at Gary Neville's Valencia - but it was to be Benitez's final game in charge. He was dismissed the following day, with the team four points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid and two points behind Barcelona, who had a game in hand. 

"A lot of people, for different reasons, have made a caricature out of him, but he is one of the top 10 managers in the last decade," said Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague at the time. "He has won trophies everywhere.

"In England, I think we are feeling he has been harshly treated, and he has regained some credit, and that some people feel sorry for him. I think everybody knows what a difficult club Real is, and what Benitez can bring to a team."

Napoli's Spanish coach Rafael Benitez looks on before the Italian Serie A football match SSC Napoli vs Atalanta BC on March 22, 2015 at the San Paolo
Image: Benitez hit out at his treatment at Real Madrid

February

In February, Benitez spoke out about his time at the Bernabeu, defending his record, criticising president Perez and admitting his frustration at having his work cut short.

Benitez also revealed a desire to return to management in the Premier League.

March

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez at Darsley Park, Newcastle
Image: Newcastle had 10 Premier League games remaining when Benitez took over

Just two months after battling it out for the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid, Benitez returned to management at relegation-threatened Newcastle. Benitez penned a three-year deal - which significantly included a break option, should the Magpies drop out of the Premier League - and had 10 games to save Newcastle's season. "C'mon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement," Benitez said on his appointment.

Image: Benitez signed an initial three-year deal with Newcastle, which included a relegation break clause

Despite a 1-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Leicester in Benitez's first game in charge, there were hints at an immediate improvement from a side which had lost five of their previous six, and a late leveller in the Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland a week later was a significant boost.

April

Newcastle's survival hopes were seriously dented at the start of April, though, with back-to-back defeats - first to fellow strugglers Norwich, and then Southampton. Even two wins and two draws in the next four - including hard-fought ties with Manchester City and Liverpool - couldn't lift the Magpies out of the drop zone.

Newcastle's New Manager Rafael Benitez gestures (GETTY PREMIUM)
Image: Benitez takes training at Newcastle

May

A 0-0 draw at already relegated Aston Villa, followed by Sunderland's midweek win over Everton, sealed Newcastle's fate but a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham on the final day was at least some reward for the improvement made under Benitez.

The performance thrilled the St James' Park faithful, who sung in support of Benitez throughout the game and afterwards Benitez said his heart was telling him to stick with Newcastle and lead them in the Championship next season.

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - MAY 15:  Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez waves during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham a
Image: Benitez salutes the Newcastle fans, who were an important factor in his decision to stay on as manager

And on May 25, Sky sources revealed Benitez had agreed a new three-year deal to remain as Newcastle boss.

Next up for the Spaniard? Planning for trips to Burton Albion and Rotherham, as he seeks an immediate return to top-flight football with the Magpies. 

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