Rafael Benitez must be more in love with football than ever right now - his Newcastle United team are streaking away from the Championship pack, and he remains an idol of the passionate Geordie faithful.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea manager looked a relaxed and happy figure as he dropped in to watch the Magpies' under-23s take on West Bromwich Albion on Monday, the day after they saw off Leeds United 2-0.
Watched by Benitez and his coaching staff, the Toon's reserves could not quite live up to the standards of the first team, being held to a 1-1 draw after Jack Fitzwater's late penalty cancelled out Daryl Murphy's first half opener at Whitley Park.