RAFA BENITEZ has officially returned to management after being announced as the new Panathinaikos boss.
Benitez, 65, was a free agent after leaving Celta Vigo in 2024 and is set for a return to Europe as PAO play in the Europa League – a competition he has previously won.
And the Spanish tactician has signed a lucrative contract with the Greek giants that makes him the highest-paid head coach in the history of the Super League.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Chelsea manager has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal with Panathinaikos.
According to Sport24, the ex-Real Madrid boss’ new deal is worth a staggering €4.4million per year.
That is an unprecedented contract for a manager in Greek football.
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Benitez was Panathinaikos president Yiannis Alafouzos and club chief Franco Baldini’s top choice.
The former Napoli boss flew in to Athens on Thursday via private jet to discuss the finer details of the agreement.
Alafouzos has tasked the ex-Valencia boss to lead PAO back to the top of Greek football as the team hasn’t won the title since 2010.
Benitez will be joining a club with immense European pedigree as Panathinaikos made it to the final of the 1971 European Cup where they lost 2-0 to Ajax at Wembley.
The Athenian outfit also made it to the Champions League semi-finals and quarter-finals in 1996 and 2002.
More to follow
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