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Newcastle United are managed by the 37th greatest manager of ALL-TIME, according to respected French football magazine France Football.

Rafa Benitez is included in the magazine’s list of football’s greatest bosses at a very respectable 37th. It’s a list that includes Sir Bobby Robson, who is 39th, and also fellow North East bosses Bob Paisley (26th) and Brian Clough (15th).

The list is led by Rinus Michels, the former France national team boss – which is perhaps unsurprising given it’s a French publication, while Sir Alex Ferguson is second. Benitez’s managerial hero Arrigo Sacchi is third while Johan Cruyff is fourth and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola is fifth.

Benitez is one of 12 managers currently active on the scene who is included in the list and might make a case that he should be higher than some of those who occupy more elevated spots. Zinedine Zidane is 22nd based on his Champions League success with Real Madrid, where he has recently returned.

According to Sport Witness, France Football say "the criteria is trophies won, influence on the game, their personality and how they have influenced managers who have followed."

Benitez consistently argues that “football is a lie” with many equating success at big clubs with managerial skill. His point is that sometimes real aptitude isn’t reflected in winning titles but by keeping teams in the division or beating sides with better resources through tactical know-how.

Benitez - who is one of UEFA's 'elite coaches' - has been at United since 2016 and is looking for cast-iron reassurances that he can turn Newcastle into perennial Premier League top half contenders.

The list comes at a time when United and their manager are in talks about extending his time at St James’ Park. And if Newcastle or Mike Ashley needed a further reminder about the ability of the man in charge – and the importance of keeping him at the club – you just need to look at his global reputation.