Rafael Benitez has signed a three-year contract to stay on as Newcastle United manager, after agreeing to lead their quest for an immediate return to the Premier League, the club said on Wednesday. 

"The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence for me in my decision to stay, as was my relationship with (managing director) Lee Charnley and all the staff," Benitez said in a statement on the club website

The Spaniard took over at the English club in March after his brief and unhappy spell at Real Madrid where Florentino Perez sacked him as first team coach in January after a poor run of results.

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