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Peter Beardsley has hailed the “Rafalution” at Newcastle United and admits it reminds him of the days of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson on Tyneside.

The Geordie legend feels that Benitez has brought a feeling of calmness to St James’ Park and after working with some of the game’s managerial greats in his career - such as Kenny Dalglish and Howard Kendall - Beardsley is confident that the Magpies will soon be a force in the Premier League again.

Beardsley is delighted by Benitez’s down to earth presence at the club’s Benton base but feels the club are benefiting from a boss that eats, sleeps and breathes the game.

He told the Chronicle: “I have worked with some of the best managers but his manner and little things he does around the place - you just think: ‘Wow!’

“They are so simple yet so clever. It’s a pleasure for us to be around him.”

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When asked if Benitez’s presence brings back memories of the Keegan and Sir Bobby era, Beardsley said: “Absolutely, without a doubt. Kevin and Sir Bobby - there’s no doubt.

“The big thing for me is for all of them, Sir Bobby, Kevin and the gaffer (Benitez) they absolutely love this game.

“This is their life so for Rafa it’s 24 hours a day, whether watching a game, watching the Under-23s or the first team - it’s his life. What he does for this city and this club is incredible.”

The hysteria surrounding the club has died down significantly since Benitez took over last March.

Speaking about the tranquillity at United these days, Beardsley said: “I’m a massive fan too and obsessed but I’m now calm because of what I see.

“And it’s because of him and because I love him so much because of what he does. He couldn’t be better.

“I talk to him about how calm he is. But why get upset or annoyed if we lose games?

“We can’t change the past but we can change the future.”

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And Beardsley is optimistic about some of his Under-23 charges getting every chance in the next phase of the “Rafalution”.

He said: “It’s great for the kids. But it’s great for us because he’s also took an interest from the day he walked in.

“He has always taken an interest in what me and Ben Dawson do and he’s been outstanding.

“You’ve heard people around the city talking about him but nobody can say anything nicer than me because he’s been immense. If there’s anything we need we just have to knock on his door.

“We can ask him a question, text him, ring him or whatever. The big thing for me is he treats everybody the same.

“With all due respect it doesn’t matter if you are a cleaner or kitchen porter, whoever, we’re all treated the same but in a positive way.

“It’s fantastic. He is the person that I see being so calm through everything that is going on.

“If we lose a game and everybody is flapping I see him saying: ‘Move on, start again’.

“He just has that and it’s something we are lucky to have because he’s a brilliant manager and he’s proved that around the world so for him to be the way he is around is, it’s just fantastic.

“There are kids going up there to train with the first team everyday. To be fair he always gives us a report on how they are doing, what he thinks, and what he needs.”

Benitez has blooded a host of youngsters since taking the job last March including Jamie Sterry, Stuart Findlay, Yasin Ben El-Mhanni and Dan Barlaser already this term.

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Beardsley said: “He gave us a review of the boys who played in Birmingham and he has done the same for the Oxford game.

“We know what he is thinking. For all the kids it’s really positive.

“They love him and they would like to train (at the first team) everyday because of what they see.

“It’s (the club) is in a great place at the moment.

“In an ideal world we’d be in the Premier League but we can only get there in four months.

“But when I look at what he does I’m not worried.”