Rafael Benitez returned to English football on Friday with the task of saving Newcastle United from Premier League relegation.
Former Liverpool boss Benitez, sacked by Real Madrid earlier this season, has signed a three-year deal with Newcastle, who are currently second-bottom in the table with just 10 league games remaining.
However, it was reported that he has an escape clause should the Magpies go down.
His appointment was announced just hours after Newcastle confirmed they had sacked former manager Steve McClaren.
Benitez said in a statement released by the club: “I have the pleasure to confirm I have committed to a legendary English club, with the massive challenge of remaining part of the Premier League.
“It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the club and the fans.”
Benitez’s appointment followed swiftly on from the dismissal of McClaren, who was relieved of his duties on Friday morning.
Benitez arrived at St James’ Park shortly after 14:00 (UK time) to hold talks with Magpies managing director Lee Charnley after days of discussions between the Benitez camp and intermediaries.
The club also confirmed the appointments of Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Miguel Moreno and Antonio Gomez Perez, who will join Ian Cathro and Simon Smith to form Benitez’s coaching team.
The players, who were on a day off, were summoned to the training ground for a meeting, where they met the new manager and were immediately put to work in an impromptu training session.
Benitez added: “All of us must push together in the same direction and with the same target in mind. This is the reason why I’m going to ask for your total support to successfully complete this task.
“Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can’t be happier. C’mon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement!”
Charnley said: “I am very pleased to welcome Rafa Benitez to the club. In Rafa we have, without doubt, secured the services of one of Europe’s top managers.
“He has managed some of the most successful teams at the very highest level of the game and we are proud to now have him as our manager. Our sole focus now is to give our full support to Rafa, his coaching team and the players in order to secure our status in the Premier League.”