Former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has stated that the club belongs in the Premier League following their promotion last season.
Rafa Benitez helped the Magpies win the Championship title on the last day of the 2016/17 season which ensured the north east club made an instant return to the top-tier.
During the past decade, Newcastle have suffered relegation on two occasions and this time around the fans will be hoping Benitez can help change their fortunes around.
Pardew, who was sacked as Crystal Palace manager last December, offered his thoughts on his former club and the man in charge at St James’ Park.
“In Rafa, they have a very experienced manager who knows the world markets so you would like to think he will do well in the transfers,” Pardew told Sky Sports, as posted on their transfer blog on Wednesday afternoon (15: 26pm).
“For the fans, it is where they belong, they don’t belong anywhere else. But, I think they will do well.”
Despite being a promoted team, expectations will be high amongst the Newcastle faithful, who will be looking to do more than just survive.
Brighton and Huddersfield were the other promoted teams, with the latter winning the play-off finals in dramatic fashion against Reading.
Added to that, the two teams will be playing in the English Premier League for the first time in their history, with Chris Hughton and David Wagner in charge of the respective clubs.
Nonetheless, the Magpies beat Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham on the last day of their relegated campaign two seasons ago and they will face the London club once again on the opening day of the new season.