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Dalian Yifang to announce Rafa Benitez as manager in Tuesday press conference – Chinese media

5 years ago
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Rafa Benitez is set to be appointed as the new Dalian Yifang manager according to Monday reports from Chinese media.

They claim that this could be announced as early as Tuesday.

Rafa officially became a free man at midnight and early this morning released a statement (see below) explaining why he could no longer work for Mike Ashley at Newcastle United.

The Dalian Yifang billionaire owner, Wang Jianlin, has hinted that Rafa Benitez is set to become manager of the club.

This followed Dalian Yifang officially announcing that current head coach Choi Kang-hee has ‘resigned’ today due to ‘personal reasons’.

Dalian Yifang are currently only 10th in the Chinese Super League with 17 points from 15 matches.

Chinese media organisation media Titan Plus say that their sources have told them a press conference is set to be held at 2pm on Tuesday local time (7am UK time) to unveil Rafa Benitez.

The salary is reported to be £12m per year AFTER tax.

Coincidentally…the summer transfer window has just opened in for the Chinese Super League today, meaning whoever is appointed by Dalian Yifang can start signing players with immediate effect (meanwhile Newcastle are 47 days into the Premier League transfer window and have signed nobody so far).

Rafa Benitez releases statement via his official personal website – 1 July 2019:

Dear NUFC fans,

Thank you for three fantastic, exciting and, at times, challenging years.

What we have had here – your support, your affection and your passion – has been unbelievable for me.

“St James Park has always been special, the 5-1 win against Tottenham, 15-05-2016, was so emotional that since that day I have always felt as though I belonged at Newcastle and I thank you for making me feel so welcome and at home.

Thank you to everyone at the club who has helped the team and of course to the fine players who grew and fought with us and to the staff (one of the best I have ever shared time with).

From winning the Championship, to our two seasons in the Premier League, fans, staff and players have all been United.

I wanted to stay but I didn’t just want to sign an extended contract, I wanted to be part of a project.

Unfortunately, it became increasingly clear to me that those at the top of the club did not share the same vision.

I’m very sad about that, but I do not regret for one moment my decision to come to Tyneside and I’m very proud about what we achieved together.

I will always have you in my heart.

Best of luck for the future.

C’mon Toons!

Rafa Benitez

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