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Rafa Benitez rocked: Ex-Liverpool colleague Didi Hamann rejects Newcastle assistant role
RAFA BENITEZ has been dealt a blow in his pursuit to hire a new assistant manager at Newcastle.
Didi Hamann snubs chance to become Rafa Benitez's No 2
Fabio Pecchia, who was Benitez's assistant at Napoli, Real Madrid and Newcastle last season, left to become Hellas Verona manager at the beginning of last month.
The Chronicle claim Benitez has offered former Liverpool colleague Didi Hamann the No 2 role at St James' Park, but the German has turned down the offer.
In an interview with The Times, Hamann, 42, said: “Rafa Benitez asked me to be his assistant at Newcastle which I turned down with a heavy heart.”
Hamann, who spent a season at Newcastle before leaving for Liverpool in 1999, won the FA Cup, Champions League and Super League under Bentiez at Anfield.
Rafa Benitez and Didi Hamann worked together at Liverpool
But the former midfielder is reportedly looking for a more high-profile coaching role after his failed first attempt in management with non-league Stockport County.
Benitez has wasted no time in the summer transfer window, having already completed the signings of striker Dwight Gayle and winger Matt Ritchie from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, respectively.