Rafa Benitez signs new three-year deal at Newcastle United despite relegation from Premier League to Championship

Spaniard has received written assurances about the size of transfer budget and also level of control he will have

Rafa Benitez makes a point on the touchline (Getty)

Rafa Benitez was unveiled for the second time as the manager of Newcastle and admitted he believes he can lead the club to promotion and then to a period of winning trophies.

The 56-year-old agreed a three-year contract and revealed he had been given assurances he will not have to sell any of the squad who were relegated to the Championship.

Benitez has also been handed the title of manager and given full control of football matters, a radical break in the structure that helped contribute to the club’s relegation.

He spoke about the impact of the supporters at the club, who had vociferously called for him to stay, and how his family had told him to take the position at St James’ Park.

“I am here because I am convinced we can go up next season, stay there for a long time and even win trophies,” he said.

“The first reason for me to stay was the fans, the stature of the club and the future. I have seen all these things together. I came here because of that and I could see these things every day, especially the last day of the season.

“There have been lots of positive things from day one. Also my family is in England and I wanted to stay here. My family said, “You have to stay”. When I saw that, and after talking with Lee (Charnley, the Newcastle managing director), I know we can work together and do good things for the club.

“What I have is the assurance that if I don't want to sell any players I don't have to. We can keep all the players who we want.

“Football business, I will have responsibility of. The main thing is that I have assurances we will have a strong team and a winning team. The fans have to know that I will build a strong team. If I am here it is because I am sure we can do it.

“I will take responsibility (of transfers) if I have to take responsibility. From day one my relationship with Lee Charnley was really good. I am pleased to work with him.

“I have not seen a problem when I have asked for something. They have tried to give me what I wanted. They are positive about the future. Everything is done in a football way and I am a football man, so for me that is important.”

Relegation to the Championship is expected to cost Newcastle at least £40 million through lost revenue. Big earners like Fabricio Coloccini, Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote would be likely candidates to leave following relegation.

The fight will be to hold onto players like Andros Townsend and Moussa Sissoko and Benitez revealed he had already spoken to players about staying in the Championship.

“We can bring players if we need them,” he added. “How much we have, that is for us, but we can bring players and still we can keep all the players that we want.

“I have had conversations with players before, and some players have told me they are quite happy because they can see the size of the club and can see that next year could be a great year to do things well and get promoted. Then, they could stay a long time in the Premier League. If someone comes and approaches me, I will react, but at the moment, we don’t have to do anything because we do not have to sell.”

Benitez could not halt Newcastle’s slide into the Championship, despite leading them on a six game unbeaten run at the seasons close. However he retained unequivocal backing from the club’s support. He will have further talks with Graham Carr, the chief scout, who is likely to be offered a diminished role.