Benitez delivered this trophy in a Roy of the Rovers style...and he will deliver in transfer market as well

TOON AMBASSADOR BOB MONCUR’S INSIGHT ON BOSS WHO BRINGS ‘STAR QUALITY’ TO UNITED

Chief Sports Writer TRUST Rafa Benitez this summer and he will deliver - at least that is the emphatic verdict of Newcastle United ambassador Bob Moncur.

The United legend has hailed Benitez’s “star quality” and feels the ex-Real Madrid gaffer’s impact at the club has been phenomenal since the 57-year-old replaced Steve McClaren last year.

With the dust settling on Newcastle’s Sky Bet Championship-winning campaign, the city now waits with anticipation to see which new face will be first through the door and exactly how many new players Benitez will be unveiling in the coming weeks.

The transfer market has changed dramatically since Moncur made his first-team debut as a player at St James’ Park in 1962.

Rumours of new signings and potential incoming deals are rife on social media with Newcastle being linked with three or four names a day online so far this summer.

However, Moncur, who has served Newcastle as a player, captain, director and ambassador, knows he can relax in the knowledge Benitez will perform in the transfer window this year.

Moncur told the Chronicle: “We have had money invested before and maybe not spent as wisely as we would like.

“In football it is difficult. Nobody can guarantee a player will be successful - but my thinking is you have a better chance with Rafa than anybody else.

“He has been there, he has done it and he has been better than everybody else. He is realistic as well.

“We have a better chance with Rafa than a lot of other people.”

Indeed, Benitez will have to move some players on this summer and free up some of the wage bill to net some of the bigger targets on the club’s shortlist.

Moncur added: “There are managers who have that bit of star quality around them, Rafa is one. I don’t think he is flamboyant, he is just a very good professional.

“One of the best things whch could have happened to this football club is Rafa coming here. He had a job to do last season, and he did it.

“OK, it was a bit tight at the end but in Rafa’s mind he always felt Newcastle would win the title.”

Newcastle were crowned champions in the last throes of the Championship season.

A 3-0 win over Barnsley and Brighton’s failure to beat Aston Villa handed the club the Championship trophy which now sits proudly in the cabinet at St James’ Park.

Moncur said: “I think getting promoted was always the priority which he achieved.

“To win it the way we did was Roy of the Rovers stuff. It was a fantastic day to win the title like that.”

Since winning the title Benitez has not stopped working.

While other managers headed for the Caribbean or Dubai to soak up the sun, Benitez has stayed in the UK.

Moncur knows the Spaniard will not rest until he has assembled his squad this summer.

Offering some unique insight into Benitez the man, Moncur said: “I have had the pleasure of Rafa’s company on a few occasions.