Newcastle Name Benitez as New Manager

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Rafael Benitez has been named as Newcastle's new manager, following the sacking of Steve McClaren.

The former Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Valencia boss takes over with the Magpies a point from safety with 10 games left.

Spaniard Benitez, 55, has signed a three-year contract and brought in coaches Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Miguel Moreno and Antonio Gomez Perez.

"C'mon Toon Army. The club and I need your total involvement," he said.

Benitez was sacked in January after seven months as Real Madrid boss.

He spent six years as Liverpool manager, winning the Champions League in 2005. He also had an interim spell with Chelsea, guiding the Blues to Europa League success in 2013.

"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," he said.

"It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the club and the fans.

"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."

Under the former England manager's guidance, Newcastle won just six of 28 Premier League games.

Coaches Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black have all left the club.

Managing director Lee Charnley said: "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."

Former Magpies defender Steve Howey told BBC Radio 5 live: "Benitez could be a fans' favourite straight away. He's got a fantastic track record.

"Sunderland seem to have done it in the last couple of seasons, changing their manager and getting a positive result.

"It's a big contrast for him. It's not that long since he was manager of Real Madrid and if things don't go well he could be playing on a horrible, windy, wet midweek game down at MK Dons."

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Let Friedel Reign Under 19's

Brad Friedel will take his first steps in management as head coach of the United States Under-19s.

The former Tottenham, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Liverpool goalkeeper ended his playing career in the summer at the age of 44.

Friedel earned 82 caps for the United States during a 13-year international career and has assisted various national youth team camps, as well as working with players at Tottenham’s academy.

“I look forward to the opportunity to help develop our young players into professionals and full internationals,” Friedel said.

“The last four years I have focused my coaching at the academy and development levels, and I’m excited to work with the entire group of committed youth national yeam staff members to increase our levels of development here in the United States.”

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Andy Cole Suffers Kidney Condition

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has revealed he suffered kidney failure last summer and might not fully recover until the spring.

Cole was due to appear in a charity game for Unicef, organised by his former United team-mate David Beckham, which will be held at Old Trafford on Nov 14.

But Cole has confirmed he will not be playing after being diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disorder which affects the levels of protein in the body.

In a statement released through United, he said: "In June of this year I suffered kidney failure, caused as a result of contracting an airborne virus and I have been under medical care ever since. I was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with a condition called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.

"I spent close to three weeks in hospital under expert medical care, undergoing a kidney biopsy, temporary haemodialysis (dialysis) as well as plasmapheresis treatment.

"During this time I have been unable to work or to carry out my normal day to day activities and I am under close supervision from the renal team at the Manchester Royal Infirmary."

One of the side-effects of the condition - which also affected NBA basketball players Sean Elliott and Alonzo Mourning and the actor Gary Coleman - is weight gain, a point made by Cole in his statement.

"I am on a course of medication including some very strong steroids which has led to the change in my appearance.

"I would like to thank Dr Mike Picton PhD, FRCP consultant Nephorologist and his team at Manchester Royal Infirmary who have done a brilliant job in caring for me and who continue to aid my recovery. I would also like to thank my wife and two children for their continued strength and support.

"Together we have been through some dark days. However, the good news is that I am feeling better as each day passes and the consultant is hopeful that I will make a full recovery by next spring.

"The messages of support from the fans have been gratefully received and wherever possible, I will continue my role as Manchester United Ambassador and would like to thank the Club for their continued support during this time."

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Howard Kendall 1946 - 2015

Former Everton manager Howard Kendall has died at the age of 69.

Kendall played for the Toffees and managed them on three occasions, with his first spell in charge being the most successful in the club's history.

He led the side to two First Division titles, as well as an FA Cup triumph and European Cup Winners' Cup win.

In a managerial career of more than 700 games, Kendall also took charge of Blackburn, Manchester City, Notts County and Sheffield United.

Born in County Durham, Kendall played over 100 times for his first club Preston North End, becoming the youngest player to play in a Wembley FA Cup final aged 17 years and 345 days in 1964.

He joined Everton in 1967, losing another FA Cup final in 1968, before the Toffees won the First Division title two seasons later.

He made more than 200 appearances for the club, who described him as "one of the greatest players to pull on the Everton jersey". He also played for Birmingham, Stoke and Blackburn.

Kendall's first managerial job was at Ewood Park, before moving to Everton in 1981.

He led the Merseyside club to the league title in 1985 and 1987, plus FA Cup victory in 1984. The club also won the European Cup Winners' Cup the following season.

"Everton won't be the same without Howard," former Toffees midfielder Peter Reid told BBC Radio 5 live.

"His dressing room was lively, when you were winning and even more when you were losing.

"A great person. Very astute and a great man-manager, and just a fantastic man. I'm devastated - he was my friend as well as my boss."

Former Everton and England striker Gary Lineker said: "Brilliantly managed the best club side I ever played for at Everton. Great bloke."

After Everton, Kendall went to Spain to manage Athletic Bilbao, before returning to England at Manchester City, followed by his second stint at Goodison Park.

He had short spells at Notts County and Sheffield United, before his final time at Everton between 1997 and 1998, his last managerial job.

In a statement, Everton said Kendall passed away in hospital in Southport, surrounded by loved ones.

Shadow Home Secretary, MP for Leigh and Everton fan Andy Burnham: "Struggling with awful news that the finest manager in our history, the great Howard Kendall, has passed on. Thanks for the memories, Howard."

Former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall: "A great manager an even greater man. What ever I did was solely down to him. Gentleman, friend, mentor. Will miss him. Gutted."

Former Everton midfielder Kevin Sheedy: "So privileged to have played for Everton's most successful manager. Absolutely devastated at this sad news. RIP boss."

Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher: "RIP Howard Kendall the greatest Everton manager there has been. He gave me some of my best football memories especially in the 84/85 season."

Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish: "Very, very sad news about Howard Kendall. Total respect for him as a player manager and person. Fantastic character. Be sadly missed. A legend."

Former Manchester City player Paul Lake: "A sad day. Howard Kendall was a hugely intelligent and inspirational man who had a knack of bringing people together. He'll be sorely missed."

"Howard Kendall's greatness stretched across Everton's generations - as part of the midfield 'Holy Trinity' with Alan Ball and Colin Harvey in the 1969/70 title-winning side to his status as the club's most successful manager," said BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty.

"Kendall presided over a remarkable transformation in Everton's fortunes, taking a club on its knees at the end of 1983 to the finest in Europe only 18 months later after winning the FA Cup in 1984 and the title and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985.

"He was admired by both Everton and Liverpool fans alike as a man who lived life to the full and the emotions on show at Goodison Park on Saturday will be testimony to his stature."

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