Rafa Benitez was overseeing preseason training sessions involving Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos this time last year, preparing Real Madrid for a shot at the Champions League and an annual La Liga title fight with Barcelona. Benitez finds himself in the second tier of English soccer, one day away from starting his bid to guide Newcastle back into the Premier League. After failing to keep Newcastle in the top flight in a 10-game stint as manager at the end of last season, he could have exercised a break clause in his contract and looked for another job. More...