Newcastle United defender Federico Fernandez believes Rafa Benitez's exit from the club should have ended in a 'different way'.
Benitez will leave Newcastle on June 30 after turning down a new contract, and Fernandez is one of several players to have taken to social media to express their thanks to the manager.
The Argentinian was another example of Benitez's shrewed manoeuvring in the transfer market. The centre-back arrived from Swansea City for less than the reported fee of £6million - something Benitez was keen to make reference to after a great start to his United career.
Ironically, Fernandez was one of the players Benitez had to fight for given the 30-year-old's age, but a decent debut season seemingly justified the move.
The two had previously worked together at Napoli, and the mutal respect was clear to see.
On Benitez's exit, Fernandez said: "Thanks Rafa. I think you and the staff deserved a different way to end your time as a Newcastle manager.
"All the people around Newcastle love you. All the best for the future."
Paco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Perez and Mikel Antia will also leave on June 30.
