Rafa Benitez to Newcastle: Which men form his coaching team?

Rafa Benitez has taken charge of Newcastle - but which men will form his coaching team?

Following the Spaniard's appointment, Newcastle announced Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Miguel Moreno and Antonio Gomez Perez would make up his staff, along with Ian Cathro and Simon Smith, who remain in place from Steve McClaren's reign.

However, McClaren's other coaches, Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black leave the club.

Here, we profile the men tasked with helping Benitez keep Newcastle in the Premier League….

Fabio Pecchia

Fabio Pecchia was Benitez's assistant at Napoli and Real Madrid, and joins the Spanish boss at Newcastle. The Italian was a winger for Napoli and Juventus in his playing days - winning Serie A in 1997/98 with the latter - before retiring in 2009.

The 42-year-old moved into coaching as assistant manager at Italian club Foggia and, after an unsuccessful four months in charge of Serie B side Gubbio and a season with Latina, Pecchia linked up with Benitez in June 2013.

Antonio Gomez Perez

Once coached by Benitez at Real Madrid B, Antonio Gomez Perez has gone on to work with his compatriot at Liverpool, Napoli and Real Madrid.

After retiring, the former midfielder took up a coaching role in the youth ranks of former club Albacete before joining Benitez at Liverpool in 2009, where he took charge of the reserve team. Also has experience of managing Real Valladolid and Albacete.

Five challenges for Rafa

Five issues for Rafa Benitez to address at Newcastle

Francisco de Míguel Moreno

Fitness coach Francisco de Miguel Moreno has worked with Benitez throughout his management career, stretching back to his time with Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Ian Cathro

Ian Cathro remains on the coaching staff after working as an assistant to McClaren. The Scot is only 29 but already has plenty of coaching experience, having been assistant manager to Nuno at Portuguese club Rio Ave and then Valencia.

Never a professional player, Cathro made his name working with the Dundee United youth team, where he played a key role in the development of current Scotland U21s Ryan Gauld and John Souttar.

Rafa's ups and downs

With Rafa Benitez named Newcastle manager, we chart the highs and lows of his career.

Simon Smith

Goalkeeping coach Simon Smith also stays on at Newcastle. The former Gateshead goalkeeper, who also spent time with Newcastle during his playing days, has worked with England youth teams and the England women's team in the past.

Smith took over the role of head goalkeeping coach at Newcastle from Andy Woodman, who followed Alan Pardew to Crystal Palace.