Rafa Benitez is poised to return to management after a 19-month hiatus, with reports indicating he will become the new head coach of Greek side Panathinaikos. The 65-year-old Spaniard, who has been out of work since being sacked by Celta Vigo in March 2024, is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Athens club.
According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Benitez will earn £3.47 million per year, making him the highest-paid manager in Greek football history. The contract was reportedly finalised during negotiations in London on Sunday evening with Panathinaikos president Giannis Alafouzos.
Panathinaikos currently sit seventh in the 14-team Super League Greece with nine points from six matches, eight points behind leaders PAOK but with a game in hand. Benitez is not expected to take charge immediately, as he needs to sort his move to Athens, meaning he will miss Thursday's Europa League clash against Feyenoord.
Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie expressed relief at not facing Benitez, stating: 'We've mapped everything out and have a good idea of how Panathinaikos plays, because the interim coach has been in place for a while. If Benitez had taken over now, things could have gone either way.'
Benitez's managerial career spans 16 previous clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Napoli, and Real Madrid. His honours include two LaLiga titles and a UEFA Cup with Valencia, a Champions League and FA Cup with Liverpool, a Club World Cup with Inter Milan, and a Europa League with Chelsea.
Speaking in September, Benitez expressed his desire to return to management, saying: 'Sometimes to be described as "a legend" is very nice, but also complicated. It is bad for a coach to be seen as retired. People still ask me, "Do you want to coach?" For sure, I do, particularly in England and Europe.'
