Quite why Benitez remains so popular with the Toon Army remains a mystery to those of us outside the North East.
He is still revered for not buggering off after taking them down into the Championship.
In fact, it was another two years before he buggered off to Dalian Yifang to earn £12million a year after tax.
But now it seems that Rafa is ready to rekindle his Geordie love affair as soon as he can get a flight out of virus-stricken China.
So let’s forget the misery of his final season at Newcastle, when his team narrowly dodged relegation while playing some of the most turgid football ever seen at St James’ Park.
And let’s ignore the fact that Steve Bruce is making a far better fist of things this time — despite the apathy of fans.
:lol: