Rafa Benitez returns: takes charge at Panathinaikos on two-year deal | OneFootball

After more than a year away from the pitch, Rafa Benitez returns to coaching. The former manager of Liverpool, Inter, and Napoli has found a new starting point: Panathinaikos.

Rafa Benitez returns to the bench: new adventure at Panathinaikos, two-year contract for the Spaniard

The Greek club has officially announced the arrival of the Spanish coach with a two-year contract, describing the agreement as “the beginning of a new era.”

“A new chapter for Panathinaikos”

Through a statement on its official channels, the Athens club welcomed the new coach with a clear message: “The beginning of a new era.” Benitez, 65, is preparing to start again in a competitive but growing league, where Panathinaikos aims to return consistently to the top after several seasons of ups and downs.

The Spanish coach, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and was a key figure in Serie A on the benches of Inter and Napoli, returns after his last experience at Celta Vigo, which ended in March 2024 with his dismissal.

A relaunch project: Benitez and Greece

Benitez was chosen for his international experience and his ability to manage complex situations. Athens represents an ideal environment for him for both personal and professional revival, in a club that wants to reclaim the Greek title and regain a regular presence in European competitions.

An Italian will also work with Benitez: Davide Calabria, former AC Milan player, who will join the coaching staff to support the new Spanish manager in the green-and-white project.

Donadel and Dyche: moves on international benches

The coaching market does not stop with Benitez’s return. After a brief spell as interim coach, Marco Donadel has been officially confirmed as the head coach of CF Montréal, the MLS club where he ended his playing career.

In England, meanwhile, Nottingham Forest has chosen Sean Dyche as its new manager, entrusting him with the bench left vacant by Ange Postecoglou, who moved on to other roles after a season of mixed results.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.