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Newcastle United defender DeAndre Yedlin has labelled Rafa Benitez ‘the most personable manager I’ve worked under’ in an interview with FourFourTwo USA.

The American defender has made a positive impression since his August move from Tottenham Hotspur and he has quickly established himself as a favourite among Newcastle fans.

His pace from right-back has the ability to lift supporters off their seats, but he has also made a marked improvement defensively in his one-and-a-half-years in the North East.

Yedlin’s move was one which got the region talking, after he had spent last season on loan at the Magpies’ arch-rivals Sunderland.

And Yedlin has credited both ex-Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce and Benitez with his defensive improvement, and insists he is ‘learning all the time’ under the tutelage of the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager.

“Sam Allardyce really helped my defensive play,” said Yedlin.

“Twice a week there were sessions that were strictly defence only – working on your shape or one-v-ones or two-v-ones - which sucked but helped me massively.

“When I first got to Newcastle, Benitez worked with me one-on-one, which is something I’d never really had before with any manager.

“He’s achieved so much but is the most personable manager I have worked under. I’m learning all the time.”

(Image: PA Wire)

Prior to moving to England, the American international enjoyed a successful spell in the MLS with his hometown team Seattle Sounders.

And the 24-year-old believes there are many similarities between the MLS and the Championship, but he admits a major difference between the two is the atmosphere generated from the ‘amazing’ Newcastle fans.

“One of the big similarities of the Championship and MLS is the physicality of the two leagues,” added Yedlin.

“The Championship is a bit better. It’s overall a bit more technical, and the Premier League is a couple of steps ahead.

“The biggest difference is the atmosphere at English games. They’re second-to-none. Newcastle fans are especially amazing. There were 6,000 at on away game on a Tuesday night, which is unbelievable."

Yedlin is now four months into his Newcastle United career and he admits the friendliness of the Geordies, as well as the infamous Tyneside weather has allowed him to feel at home.

“The weather, unfortunately, is one of many things that reminds me of home,” Yedlin said.

“It’s smaller than London and really friendly, just like Seattle, which is my favourite place, so Newcastle feels like home.

“Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time in London, because it’s a fantastic place. But living-wise. I’m more comfortable in this kind of environment.”

Yedlin gave this interview exclusively to FourFourTwo USA, and in it he also discusses his international career in depth, discussing the reign of Jurgen Klinsmann as well as looking ahead to the Bruce Arena era, as well as his experiences of the Premier League.