"?Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has said that Rafa Benitez will be more likely to succeed at the club if he has full control of the club's dealings.
Despite being relegated from the Premier League to the Championship, Benitez surprisingly decided to stay at the North East club - considering he was managing Real Madrid less than a year ago.
Speaking to "?The Shields Gazette, he said: "Well, I hope he has (control). I mean only time will tell about that. We hope that they get off to a good start and that they're only down there for one season and get back where they belong. But I hope he's actually allowed to manage.
"I was surprised that he stayed,"? said the pundit who had a stint as manager at his hometown club in 2009.
"I thought that he would so many offers that managing Newcastle in the Championship might not have been an entertaining proposition for him. But the crowd made him feel really welcome and wanted him here, so that was a big sway for him."
The Spanish manager, who has also managed Valencia, Inter Milan and Liverpool, signed a three-year deal to remain as manager on Tyneside.
"To have him managing Newcastle, with his CV, is a big coup for Newcastle."? "?However, Shearer believes that for Benitez to fulfill his contract he may have to get the club promoted at the first attempt.
"Well the longer you're down there, the harder it is to get back. Obviously, Rafa believes he can get back at the first attempt, he won't to hang around in the Championship, not a guy with his CV.
"I'm sure that he's working very hard "? one, to sell players, and two, to bring in players as we speak. It will be an interesting time over the next few weeks to see what happens on that front."?