Rafa Benitez Takes on New Role as Panathinaikos Head Coach
Rafa Benitez has taken on a new role as the head coach of Panathinaikos, a renowned Greek football club. This appointment marks a significant chapter in his coaching career.
Coaching History of Rafa Benitez
Before joining Panathinaikos, Benitez experienced a tumultuous tenure with Celta Vigo. He managed the Spanish club for eight months but was relieved of his duties in March 2024 after a crippling 4-0 loss to Real Madrid. This defeat left Celta Vigo perilously close to relegation, with the team positioned just above the drop zone.
Benitez’s coaching career spans several prestigious teams:
- Liverpool: Guided Liverpool to a Champions League victory in 2005 during his six-year tenure.
- Everton: Briefly managed the club but was dismissed after nine defeats in 13 games, ending his time in January 2023.
- Newcastle United: Led Newcastle back to the Premier League in the 2016-2017 season.
- Real Madrid: Managed the prestigious club along with stints at Napoli, Inter Milan, and Valencia.
- Chelsea: Had a short spell as interim coach, winning the Europa League in 2013.
Panathinaikos Appointment
In his new role, Benitez succeeds Rui Vitoria, who was fired in September 2025 after just one season. Christos Kontis served as interim coach while the club searched for a permanent replacement.
Currently, Panathinaikos sits seventh in the Super League Greece, having earned nine points from six matches. The team’s performance in the Europa League has been challenging, as they only managed three points from their opening three games, including a recent 2-1 defeat to Feyenoord.
Future Outlook
With Rafa Benitez at the helm, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how he can turn around the fortunes of Panathinaikos and improve their standing in both domestic and European competitions.
