Newcastle United’s manager, Rafael Benítez, has moved swiftly to appoint a new assistant following Fabio Pecchia’s departure to take charge of Verona in Italy’s Serie B. He has replaced Pecchia with Mikel Antia, a 43-year-old Spaniard who joins from the internationally renowned Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar, where he was part of the coaching team tasked with developing young Qatari footballers.
Antia, originally from San Sebastián, was a young defender at the Real Madrid Academy where he worked under Benítez for four seasons, before moving to Real Valladolid in La Liga and subsequently playing for Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad.
The remainder of Benítez’s coaching staff – Francisco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Pérez, Ian Cathro and Simon Smith – will remain at St James’ Park and be part of next season’s attempt to win promotion from the Championship.
Benítez, who had worked with Pecchia at both Napoli and Real Madrid, said: “I am delighted that Mikel is joining my staff. He is a very talented coach and I know he will add great expertise to my team. At the same time I am sad to see Fabio depart as he has been an excellent professional from the first day until the last in the years we have worked together. He leaves to face these new and exciting challenges, both personally and professionally. I wish him all the best and say thank you.”
