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Rafa Benítez, who has been waiting 19 months for the position of coach, is about to reach his seventh position.
The 65-year-old coach was fired by Celta de Vigo on March 12, 2024, after only five victories in 28 games in La Liga, leaving the club two points above the relegation zone.
However, in his next foray into the dugout, he will work in a league that will be new for him.
According to reports in Greece, Benítez will become the new coach of Panathinaikos with a two-year contract.
Panathinaikos currently occupies the seventh position of the Greek Superliga with nine points after six games, less than the leader, PAOK.
The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf adds that the contract will break records in Greece after the negotiations held last Sunday night in London with the president of his club, Giannis Alafouzos.
Rafa Benítez Will Return to Lead Panathinaikos, The Seventh Club
Benítez will become the best paid coach in the history of Greece, with 3.47 million pounds a year
Benítez earns 3.47 million pounds a year at Panathinaikos, making him the best paid coach in Greek history.
De Telegraaf says that Benítez has asked that his new job not start immediately while preparing his transfer to Atenas, which means that he will not be on the bench for the Europa League match against Feyenoord on Thursday.
The coach of Feyenoord, Robin van Persie, was relieved to not have to face Benítez, due to the preparations for the party.
“We have everything planned and we have a good idea of how Panathinaikos is doing, because the coach has already been in charge for a while,” declared the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker.
‘If Benítez had taken office now, things could have gone either way.
‘Personally, I am glad that Benítez is not here today; If not, everything must be taken into account.’
In 16 clubs before Panathinaikos, Benítez has managed some of the most important teams in world football, such as Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Naples and Real Madrid.
His achievements as a coach include two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup with Valencia, a Copa de Inglaterra and a Champions League with Liverpool, the FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan and the Europa League during his stage in Chelsea.
