Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that he has the skills necessary to deal with the challenges of the Championship.

The Spaniard was appointed Magpies boss on a three-year deal in March but was unable to prevent the team from being relegated to the second tier after a six-year stay in the Premier League.

Benitez, who has a CV that includes Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid, had been expected to leave the club following their relegation but instead opted to take on the challenge of restoring them to the top flight at the first opportunity.

"People think I don't have experience in the second division, but we were promoted with Tenerife and Extremadura and I was the coach of the reserve team with Real Madrid in the second division," Benitez told Sky Sports News.

"I know what it means to go from this level to another level. I realise how difficult it is. With Tenerife we had to fight in the most difficult second division in Spain with Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Real Betis and we were promoted.

"I know you have to fight until the last day. We were promoted in the last game. It's a tough division with tough competition but I have experience and I'm learning a lot."

Newcastle launch the new English Football League season tonight when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.