Newcastle United's return to the Premier League at the first time of
asking - sealed by Monday's 4-1 victory over Preston - marks a
successful first full season for manager Rafael Benitez.
The Magpies were unable to avoid the drop into the second tier last term. However, under the Spaniard, who committed his future to the club before the season started, it has been a short stay outside the top flight.
BBC Sport assesses some of the key factors behind the success.
Few clubs begin life having been relegated from the Premier League with an air of optimism but Newcastle United did, in no small part to Benitez's presence.
Supporters, who had campaigned for the former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss to stay despite the drop, were rewarded with his decision to stay and the knock-on effect was an English Football League record 37,000 season ticket sales.
Benitez was also key to tempting Premier League players in Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle to step down a division to join the Newcastle cause.
"He is a great manager and has great experience," Gayle told BBC Newcastleon arriving at St James' Park from Crystal Palace. "There's expectation, but under the manager here I believe he can help me to perform.
"There's a great history at Newcastle. I'm looking forward to getting this club back in the Premier League and proving a few people wrong."
Gayle and his team-mates have backed up those words with action.
READ MORE
The Magpies were unable to avoid the drop into the second tier last term. However, under the Spaniard, who committed his future to the club before the season started, it has been a short stay outside the top flight.
BBC Sport assesses some of the key factors behind the success.
Few clubs begin life having been relegated from the Premier League with an air of optimism but Newcastle United did, in no small part to Benitez's presence.
Supporters, who had campaigned for the former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss to stay despite the drop, were rewarded with his decision to stay and the knock-on effect was an English Football League record 37,000 season ticket sales.
Benitez was also key to tempting Premier League players in Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle to step down a division to join the Newcastle cause.
"He is a great manager and has great experience," Gayle told BBC Newcastleon arriving at St James' Park from Crystal Palace. "There's expectation, but under the manager here I believe he can help me to perform.
"There's a great history at Newcastle. I'm looking forward to getting this club back in the Premier League and proving a few people wrong."
Gayle and his team-mates have backed up those words with action.
READ MORE
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