After leaving Celta Vigo in spring 2024, things have been quiet around former successful coach Rafa Benitez. But now, the 65-year-old is set to make a comeback. Benitez is expected to sign in Athens until summer 2027.
According to consistent media reports from Spain and Greece, Rafael Benitez is set to join traditional Greek club Panathinaikos. The 65-year-old has reportedly agreed terms with the Athens-based club on a contract until summer 2027.
Panathinaikos is aiming for its first championship title since 2010 and, after a mediocre start to the league a few weeks ago, sacked coach Rui Vitoria. Christos Kontis is currently acting as interim coach. According to the current plan, the 50-year-old will be on the bench for Sunday’s league game at Aris in Thessaloniki, as well as next Thursday’s Europa League game at Feyenoord in Rotterdam. After that, he will make way for the most expensive coach in Greek league history. Benitez and his team are set to earn almost four million euros a year.
Benitez celebrated what is probably the greatest success of his long coaching career in 2005, when he led Liverpool to the Champions League title after trailing AC Milan 0-3 at halftime in the final. He also won the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013 and the UEFA Cup with Valencia in 2004. His trophy collection also includes Spanish league titles, an FA Cup win in England (with Liverpool in 2006) and a Club World Cup with Inter in 2011.
Several former Bundesliga players are currently under contract at Panathinaikos. Leading the way is Renato Sanches (35 Bundesliga games, one goal for Bayern), who moved to Athens on loan from Benfica in the summer. But Tin Jedvaj (115 games, five goals for Leverkusen and Augsburg), Filip Mladenovic (16 times for 1. FC Köln) and Filip Djuricic (eleven games for Mainz) also played in the Bundesliga. Adam Gnezda Cerin, on the other hand, played five second division games for 1. FC Nürnberg in 2019/20.
