Rafa Benitez has signed an initial three-year deal at St James' Park

Rafa Benitez has called on the ‘Toon Army’ to help secure Newcastle United’s Premier League future after he was confirmed as manager on a three-year deal.

Benitez then arrived at St James’ Park after lunchtime and was confirmed as boss before heading to the club’s training ground to meet his new players.

The 55-year-old wasted no time in getting to work and held his first training session with the first-team squad just 90 minutes after his appointment.

Benitez – who it is understood has a break clause should Newcastle be relegated - will bring with him backroom staff Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Pérez, who will join Ian Cathro and Simon Smith.