The Champions League winning manager is enjoying his new job as he finds himself in vastly different circumstances than at St. James' Park
Rafael Benitez has revealed he has already had more meetings with club officials in one week with Dalian Yifang than he did during three years at Newcastle United.
Benitez left the Magpies at the end of June when his contract expired and took the surprise decision to continue his coaching career in the Chinese Super League.
After just seven days in the new job, Benitez already feels more valued behind the scenes as he is in regular dialogue with Dalian's hierarchy - something that was not the case with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley.