Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez believes he has another 15 years of top flight management left in his career

• e-mail

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez believes he can remain an elite-level manager for another 15 years - by which point he will be 72.

The Spaniard has already enjoyed an illustrious career across Europe with some of the continent's most distinguished teams. His most notable honours are the Champions League and La Liga.

But Benitez has no plans to sit back and reflect on his lot any time soon.

Rafa Benitez believes he can remain an elite-level manager for another 15 years

Benitez has had a distinguished career, notably winning the Champions League with Liverpool

'Im 57 now — I'm still a young manager,' Benitez told The Mirror. 'I was quite young when I started and I was winning trophies, so it feels like I have been there all my life.

'I am getting older but I feel like, as a manager, I have another 15 years that I can enjoy. It's a profession that I like.'

Benitez has been Newcastle boss since March 2016. He arrived too late to fend off Premier League relegation that season but won the Championship in the following season to return the club to England's top tier at the first time of asking.

He admitted that the project of building a club is what gives him his drive. 

'Some managers are lucky because they have the best team possible and they win,' Benitez said. 'But some managers have a career and work very hard. For me, that is the way.

'I like to see how my teams are improving; to create teams that can be competitive and you can win against everyone. 

'It's a frustration when you cannot do it but we try to do things in the best way possible and I like to do things really well.'

If Newcastle boss Benitez does manage for another 15 years, he will be 72 years old

Newcastle announced the signing of Mikel Merino on a permanent deal on Friday

Newcastle announced the signing of Mikel Merino on permanent terms on Friday.

The Spanish midfielder initially joined on a loan deal from Borussia Dortmund but after an impressive start to life in England, Benitez has moved swiftly to activate the £6.5m agreement to turn the deal into a permanent one.