Rafa Benitez on brink of sensational return to management with former Champions League finalists on £11m deal
RAFA BENITEZ is close to signing with Greek giants Panathinaikos in a stunning move.
Benitez, 65, has been a free agent ever since 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.
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Rafa Benítez is close to signing with Greek giants PanathinaikosCredit: AP
Benitez is set for a return to the Europa League – a trophy he has previously wonCredit: Getty Images
According to Sport24, the Spanish tactician is just a whisker away from signing with the Athenian outfit.
In fact, the ex-Liverpool manager has landed in Athens to hold talks with Panathinaikos president Giannis Alafouzos.
The former Chelsea boss flew via private jet and was club chief Franco Baldini’s top choice.
The Spaniard, who also managed Real Madrid, is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with Panathinaikos.
That comes with a massive pay day worth a staggering total of £11million for Benitez.
The ex-Newcastle manager 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.
PAO also made it to the Champions League semi-finals and quarter-finals in 1996 and 2002.
Benitez was recently spotted sitting next to Nottingham Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Panathinaikos’ rivals Olympiacos.
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Marinakis and the former Everton boss watched the Greek giants lose 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates two weeks ago.
Forest manager Ange Postecoglou’s has yet to win a match for the East Midlanders, losing five of his seven games in charge so far.
That raised questions over whether Benitez was being primed as a potential successor to Postecoglou.
However, he is now set to do direct battle with Marinakis’ side in one of Europe’s biggest derbies.
