ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been appointed coach of Panathinaikos in a deal reported by Greek media to be the richest ever for a coach in the country.
The struggling Athens club, who enter the weekend seventh in the 14-team Greek Super League, announced on Friday that the well-traveled Spaniard has signed a contract that is said to extend until 2027.
According to local media, the contract is worth nearly 4 million euros (approximately 460 million yen) per season and includes an option to extend for an additional season.
Benitez, 65, has also managed Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Newcastle. Celta Vigo sacked March 2024 after the team won just five league games.
Benitez was released by Premier League side Everton. 200 days in early 2022 after failing to overcome ties with arch-rivals Liverpool.
Under Benitez, Liverpool famously won the Champions League title in 2005. “Miracle of Istanbul” They reached the final in 2007 and won the FA Cup in 2006.
Benitez was Chelsea’s interim manager when the Blues won the Europa League in 2013, and led Napoli to the Italian Cup in 2014.
real madrid Benitez fired January 2016, seven months after joining the company.
Panathinaikos coach Rui Vitoria was sacked last month. Christos Contis was serving as interim coach. The team lost 3-1 to Feyenoord on Thursday. in europe league.
Benitez’s first game as manager will be on Sunday, when Panathinaikos host bottom of the table Asteras Tripolis.
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