Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Garth Crooks is sure that if Newcastle United back Rafael Benitez with enough resources then he can lead the club to the Premier League title.
Despite often enduring frustration in the transfer market since he took over at Newcastle, Benitez now has the Magpies sitting in sixth spot in the Premier League standings.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has signalled his willingness to sell the club and Benitez may soon be working under owners with deeper pockets.
Crooks is a huge admirer of the Spaniard and believes if he is given enough backing then he can go one better than Kevin Keegan and lead Newcastle to the title.
The ex-Tottenham man thinks if Claudio Ranieri can guide Leicester to the crown, Benitez taking Newcastle to the title is possible.
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"I think he's done a magnificent job and that's why I think the Newcastle fans think he deserves the resources to take them where the fans want them to be, which could be a top six side – they are a huge club", Crooks said on the BBC's Final Score programme.
"And Rafa Benitez has the pedigree to do something special. There is no doubt for me he's a top class manager and they are lucky to have him.
"With Rafa, he's capable.
"I mean with Keegan they didn't win anything, but he flirted with the title.
"Rafa can win it with the right resources there.
"I think that highly of him. Rafa Benitez can win it [the title] with the right resources.
"If Leicester can do it with Claudio Ranieri, Newcastle can win it with Rafa Benitez.
"This man is one of the best managers in the world. With the right resources, he is capable of winning the title", Crooks added.
Benitez counts a string of top clubs amongst his former managerial jobs, with the Spaniard having enjoys stints with Valencia, Liverpool, Inter, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
