Rafa Benitez to take over as Panathinaikos head coach on record-breaking deal

File photo. [AP]

Rafa Benitez has been appointed caput manager of Panathinaikos connected a declaration moving until 2027, the Greek nine said precocious Sunday, confirming the Spaniard’s instrumentality to management.

The 65-year-old erstwhile Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager signed and sent his declaration to the Athens broadside connected Sunday nighttime aft talks successful London with Panathinaikos president Giannis Alafouzos and sporting manager Franco Baldini.

The woody includes an enactment to widen for 1 further year and is worth astir 4 cardinal euros ($4.3 million) per play – reportedly the highest wage ever paid to a manager successful Greek soccer.

Benitez, who near Celta Vigo successful 2024, had asked for two days to finalize his determination earlier agreeing to take charge. He is expected to get successful Athens aboriginal this week, when his assignment will beryllium officially announced.

The Spaniard will not beryllium connected the seat for Thursday’s Europa League crippled against Dutch broadside Feyenoord, with interim manager Christos Kontis acceptable to pb the team for the last time. Panathinaikos are considering keeping Kontis arsenic portion of Benitez’s technical staff.

Benitez had precocious been linked with a determination to Nottingham Forest – owned by Olympiakos president Evangelos Marinakis – aft the Premier League nine dismissed Ange Postecoglou connected Saturday pursuing a 3-0 nonaccomplishment to Chelsea, conscionable 39 days into his tenure.