Rafael Benitez has told The Chronicle Live that he exchanged text messages with Derby boss Steve McClaren upon replacing him as the Newcastle United manager.
Benitez was drafted in by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to try and preserve their Premier League status. The Spaniard, however, was unable to prevent the club slipping back into the Championship for the second time in under 10 years.
His appointment, in March, followed the sacking of McClaren.
The now Derby County manager, who is experiencing his second spell at the IPro Stadium, was dismissed in March after a disastrous nine-month spell on Tyneside. Having achieved early success in his first spell, he is now repeating it in the second. Having taken over The Rams in October, McClaren has guided them from around the relegation places, to playoff contenders.
Benitez, when asked if he ever speaks with his predecessor McClaren., replied: “I had contact with him when he left. (From The Chronicle Live)
I sent him a message and had contact but not too much.
“But I have a very good relationship with him.
“We are not close friends because I do not see him often enough, but we get along well.”
It has been reported in recent times, however, that Benitez was set to leave his post at the club. His alleged frustration at Ashley over the club’s January transfer business had tipped the former Liverpool boss over the edge.
It has been confirmed by Benitez himself, though, that he will be continuing at Newcastle boss, for now.
