Premier League strugglers Newcastle United have appointed former Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez as their new manager on a three-year deal.
Benitez, who has also previously managed Napoli, replaces Steve McClaren, who was sacked earlier on Friday after nine months in the job, and is tasked with preserving his new club's top-flight status with them sitting 19th, one point adrift of safety.
Benitez, who was sacked at Madrid in January, has been itching to return to the Premier League after a six-year spell at Liverpool, with whom he won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup a year later, and a six-month interim role at Chelsea, which resulted in him landing the 2013 Europa League title.
Here, we look at how the football world and other famous figures have reacted to the news on Twitter:
CLUB STATEMENT: Steve McClaren's employment with the Club ends with immediate effect March 11, 2016
BREAKING: Rafa Benítez confirmed as Newcastle United manager March 11, 2016
A dream in black and whiteMarch 11, 2016
Exciting appointment for What a coup! Let's just hope Rafa is allowed to do what he needs to do-manage!March 11, 2016
Rafa Benitez Welcome to Toon planet. March 11, 2016
Rafael Benitez in the ...254 - Played141 - Won61 - Drawn52 - Lost56% - Win percentage March 11, 2016
Welcome to if you do half the job you did at you will be a Geordie legendMarch 11, 2016
I think Rafa Benitez will take the Managers job and relish the challenge ahead with no puppeteers strings on his backMarch 11, 2016
GALLERY: 2005 winning coach Rafael Benítez is back as Newcastle manager. His career - March 11, 2016
I haven't been this excited since we appointed Sir Bobby Robson as manager.March 11, 2016
Newcastle have finally put Steve McClaren out of his misery. The running of that great football club is beyond shambolic.March 11, 2016
Good luck Rafa come on the Toon! March 11, 2016
Steve might not have been a fans favourite but the way he has been treated and told is abhorrent, # feelashamed.March 11, 2016
Great news with Rafa, quality manager so hopefully now the turn around in fortunes....bring on LeicesterMarch 11, 2016
