Panathinaikos gives the "helm" of its team to the Spaniard, Rafa Benitez
Giannis Alafouzos and Rafa Benitez had agreed on everything and both sides will sign a cooperation contract for the next 2.5 years in exchange for the astonishing sum of 3.6 million euros per year.
Panathinaikos on Thursday night (10/16) at the dinner that its president, Giannis Alafouzos and Rafa Benitez had agreed on everything and both sides will sign a cooperation contract for the next 2.5 years in exchange for the astonishing sum of 3.6 million euros per year (including his large team of collaborators).
The Spanish coach came to Athens by private flight, as he had been recommended to Panathinaikos owner Giannis Alafouzos by his Italian advisor (now)
Franco Baldini
who had studied various coaching profiles in the previous days.
The 65-year-old Benitez has worked in some of the most important teams in Europe, such as Liverpool (he led them to win the Champions League in 2005 and the following year played again in the final of the top club competition), Real Madrid, Valencia, Chelsea, Inter, Napoli, Newcastle, Everton and Celta.
Of course, Rafa had made his name in Valencia with whom he celebrated two championships and a UEFA Cup. He has also won a European Cup with Chelsea in 12/13, as they prevailed in the Europa League final 2-1 over Benfica.
In common with Alonso and Vitoria
Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez has an incredible common ground with Alonso and Rui Vitoria. On October 29, 2024, Uruguayan Diego Alonso left and was succeeded by Rui Vitoria. The Portuguese coach left after the defeat by Kifisia with 3-2. With the protagonists Tette, Pantelidis, who will dress in green. Vitoria was at the club for 319 days and 43 matches, while Alonso had 120 days and 17 matches. Also: Alonso was born on April 16, 1975. Vitoria was born on April 16, 1970. And Benitez was born on April 16, 1960!
His collaborators
Rafa Benitez will naturally bring his staff with him, which according to information consists of 6 collaborators. Paco de Miguel (his close collaborator from the Valencia era) and Antonio Gomez Perez (former footballer and collaborator at Liverpool, Napoli and Real), as his direct assistants.
Pedro Cobos, who will have the role of opponent and tactical analyst, Xavi Valero as goalkeeper coach (he also worked at West Ham and is a long-time collaborator of the Spaniard), trainer David Fernandez and Raul Diaz as performance analyst.
Alafouzos' changes
In the meantime, it should be noted that Giannis Alafouzos now clearly seems to have "got the game on him". He has hired the Italian, Franco Baldini (he suggested Benitez) as his new advisor. New commercial director Giorgos Stathopoulos, made two important transfers with 3.5 million euros from Kifissia, the strikers Andreas Tetteh and Pavlos Pantelidis. And now he is also making the most expensive coach, with 3.5 million euros per year the famous, Rafa Benitez. Of course, what is going to happen for Panathinaikos in the championship and Europe is something that remains to be seen ...
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece)
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