Benitez: Exclusive interview

Ahead of the new Sky Bet EFL season, Sky Sports sat down with Rafael Benitez to get his take on the challenge he faces at Newcastle.

The former Liverpool boss will get his first taste of Championship football on Friday night when he takes his new-look side to face Fulham, live on Sky Sports 1.

Benitez has his sights firmly set on an immediate return to the Premier League and exclusively spoke to Sky Sports about his relationship with the fans, comparisons with Liverpool, his summer transfer business and who will wear the famous number nine shirt at St James’ Park this season…

Benitez on his decision to stay at Newcastle

To be fair, it was the fans. The last day [of last season] was amazing. They were pushing me in the last two or three weeks and trying to convince me to stay, but the last day was the key; to see the passion of the fans, the commitment and how they feel the club. My conversation with the owner was positive and there’s the city, the stature of the club and my family was in England. You put everything together, but the main thing was the fans.

Benitez on his relationship with the fans

I am a professional that likes to concentrate on my job during the games. It’s not easy because you have to give them a wave! You feel the love in the city everywhere and it’s important. I have to give them something back. I will always try to do my best, but when you have this feeling it’s even more important to try to do well.

Benitez on how Newcastle compares with Liverpool

The passion of the fans is obviously very similar. It’s a working city, so the people are very similar to the people in Liverpool. I would say the Geordie accent and the …

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