Former Newcastle United star Salomon Rondon has revealed how Rafa Benitez got the best out of him at St James' Park.
The former West Brom loan man finished top scorer with 12 goals in the 2018/19 season before leaving the club when Benitez left to join Dalian Pro.
The duo were reunited again in China, but Rondon has since moved to CSKA Moscow, with Benitez looking for his next challenge.
In an interview with Marca, Rondon said: "If I have to choose a coach from whom I have worked I choose Rafa Benítez, he taught me a lot.
"He is a true gentleman and I learnt a lot with him. I appreciate his way to reach to each player. He can talk about a lot of issues.
"I took advantage of everything he could teach me.
"I remember my first chat with him, 45 minutes long.
"He drew on a blackboard a field and asked to me: "What are you?". I answered: "A forward".
"Then, he asked me: "What is the main thing to forwards? Scoring goals, isn't it?".
"This kind of thing you remember for all your life. "
Rondon helped Newcastle finish 13th in his only season, when survival was booked with five games to go.
He said: "I liked working with him and all that I learnt from him was marvellous.
"I will thank him for our moments in China all my life. The players always want to know everything, but it's impossible.
"There is always another perspective like the one from Rafa Benítez.
"With his honours, I think he will know some things to do it right.
"The main thing is to learn, to know your virtues and the way to use it to help the team."
