Rafael Benitez has been appointed as the new manager of Newcastle United, the English Premier League strugglers announced on Friday.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss was installed on a three-year contract with the task of guiding second-bottom Newcastle away from relegation with just 10 league games remaining this season.

Spanish boss Benitez replaced Steve McClaren at St James' Park just hours after Newcastle confirmed earlier Friday that the former England manager had been sacked.