Newcastle United are back in the Championship for the second time since 2010.
The Magpies endured a disastrous campaign which promised so much under Steve McClaren but failed to deliver for the Toon faithful.
Big-money signings were made last summer in the form of Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Florian Thauvin, which had things looking rosy on Tyneside.
Fast forward nine months and St James' Park is not a happy place as the Magpies take an undeserved summer break before readying themselves for another season in England's second tier.
Winter additions Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend, along with McClaren's replacement Rafa Benitez, did all they could to keep the club afloat but there were far too many shortcomings all over the pitch, ultimately leading to their 18th-placed finish (below Sunderland no less!).
2016/17 promises to be a rollercoaster for the north east outfit as they eye immediate promotion back to the top flight where so many believe they rightly belong.
They are favoured to win the Championship title and are odds-on to be playing Premier League football in 2017.
Oh, and Rafa is staying!
MAGPIES SNAPSHOT
POSITION:18th - Relegated
WIN-DRAW-LOSS RECORD:9-10-19
POINTS: 37
GOALS FOR-AGAINST:44-65
NEWCASTLE'S TOP 3
SCORERS:Georginio Wijnaldum 11, Aleksandar Mitrovic 9, Ayoze Perez 6
ASSISTS: Moussa Sissoko 8, Jonjo Shelvey, Georginio Wijnaldum both 6
CLEAN SHEETS (leader): Rob Elliot 4
YELLOW CARDS: Jack Colback 11, Jonjo Shelvey 8, Vurnon Anita 6
RED CARDS:Aleksandar Mitrovic 2, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabricio Coloccini, Daryl Janmaat all 1
EA SPORTS Player Performance Index: Georginio Wijnaldum 630, Moussa Sissoko 499, Daryl Janmaat 404
TRIBAL'S TOP BOY
Moussa Sissoko/Georginio Wijnaldum
TWITTER TALK
Absolutely gutted! We have to come back stronger and put things right! #Nufc
— Robert Elliot (@the_dilsh) May 12, 2016
It's an honour to win player of the season for #NUFC can't wait to get back and help get us back where we belong!thanks for all the support
— Robert Elliot (@the_dilsh) May 15, 2016
Good way to end the season with a win! Thanks fans for the support this season #NUFCpic.twitter.com/52gT6Wh3sC
— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) May 15, 2016
Disappointed with the outcome of this season but glad to finish it with a win for our fans #Newcastle#Howaytheladspic.twitter.com/8LRQzmdGxR
— Daryl Janmaat (@daryljanmaat89) May 15, 2016
Thanks Toon Army #Howaytheladspic.twitter.com/nmxYLzpCeK
— Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) May 16, 2016
FROM THE BOSS
"We are really disappointed because we couldn't stay up, but really happy that we gave the fans something to enjoy today.
“Since I've been here in terms of effort and hard work you can say nothing (negative) about these players."
- Rafael Benitez, after final game, May 2016
"The first things for me were the fans, the stature of the Club and the future," he said. "I have seen all these things together.
"I said in my press conference that I came here because of that, and I could see these things every day, and especially the last game (against Tottenham Hotspur).
"I'm really pleased - really happy - to be here."
- Rafael Benitez, after signing three-year deal, May 2016
STAT STORY
*Thanks to Opta
4 – Newcastle became just the fourth team in PL history to win twice by a four goal margin in a season and still be relegated. Down.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2016
