It’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since Rafa Benitez arrived at Newcastle.
On March 11th 2016, Steve McClaren got the sack. The former England boss had Newcastle heading towards the Championship, and was replaced by a Champions League winner.
Benitez’s first game was March 14th, a testing away trip to title-chasing Leicester City.
Despite just being with the club for a few days, the Magpies were clearly more organised under Benitez. However, it could not stop them losing 1-0 thanks to an overhead kick by Shinji Okazaki.
While Newcastle did suffer relegation, this was the start of an exciting three years for Toon fans. Benitez gave the club life.
But who was in his first ever Newcastle starting XI? And where is each player now?
Rob Elliot
Benitez tried various different goalkeepers at Newcastle before landing on Martin Dubravka, but Elliot was the first. He’s 34 now, and recently signed a deal with Watford until the end of the season.
Daryl Janmaat
An arm-flapper. Janmaat started Benitez’s first game and even started the Championship campaign with the Magpies. But he would return to the Premier League with Watford in August 2016, and he is now back in the Netherlands with Den Haag.
Steven Taylor
This was Taylor’s final season as a Newcastle player. His career has been wild since, playing in America, Australia and India. Taylor is now 35, and has just re-signed with Wellington Phoenix for a second spell in the A-League.
Jamaal Lascelles
Lascelles’ Newcastle career really kicked off when Benitez arrived. He became the club captain in the summer of 2016, and led the side to the Championship title. He’s one of two players from Benitez’s first XI who is still at St James’ Park.
Jack Colback
Colback was forced to play out of position in Benitez’s debut, but was a consistent player for the Magpies in the Championship. Colback eventually fell out of favour, and finally left the club permanently in June 2020. He is now in the second tier with Nottingham Forest.
Jonjo Shelvey
The second player from Benitez’s first XI who is still with the club.
Vurnon Anita
Anita was reliable if unspectacular under Benitez. He was often used in defence, but was released in the summer of 2017. Anita hasn’t really settled since leaving, and currently plays for RKC Waalwijk.
Ayoze Perez
The Spanish forward was a key player during Benitez’s tenure. He left shortly after Rafa did, joining Leicester City for £30million in 2019.
Georginio Wijnaldum
He’s undoubtedly the most successful player from this starting XI. Wijnaldum left Newcastle for Liverpool after relegation, and has since won the Champions League and Premier League. He could be on the move this summer, with the midfielder constantly linked with Barcelona.
Moussa Sissoko
Not really a fan favourite, but a player who Benitez clearly saw potential in. Sissoko left after relegation, and has done well to become an important player at Tottenham under Jose Mourinho.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
A cult hero, but never really a star in black and white. Benitez sold him to Fulham in the summer of 2018 for an initial £22million. Mitrovic is still there, fighting to stay in the Premier League at Newcastle’s expense.
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