Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot has said Rafa Benitez’s managerial methods have taken some time to get used after many years of working under British coaches at St James’ Park.
The Republic of Ireland international has worked under Alan Pardew, John Carver and Steve McClaren before the arrival of Benitez in March, but the 30 year old has said playing under the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Napoli manager is a different experience. He told the Evening Chronicle:
“He is very different to a lot of managers I have worked with before. The structure of a football club never changes but a manager can go about things differently. It’s the first time I have worked with a foreign coach for so long. He does things differently and the players buy into it. They see it works and he has a proven track record.”
Elliot is still recovering from a knee injury that he sustained not longer after Benitez’s arrival at the club in an international match for Ireland, but he says he is optimistic that he will return to full fitness in the next few weeks.
Karl Darlow is currently in possession of the number one jersey after Matz Sels’ shaky start of the season but Elliot will be looking to reestablish himself as first choice under Benitez on his return.
