What Will Be Rafa Benitez Salary at Panathinaikos?

Rafael Benitez is going to take on his 17th managerial role, as the veteran Spaniard is set to become Panathinaikos' new head coach on a record-breaking contract. The 65-year-old was last seen working for Celta Vigo back in March 2024. He is now poised to become the highest-paid manager in Greek football history, making his return after a 19-month break. He has agreed on a two-year deal. Rafael Benitez salary is going to be worth 3.47 million per year, which makes him the highest-paid coach in Greece. He will take charge of the Greek giants who are currently seventh in the Super League Greece table, eight points adrift of leaders PAOK but with a game in hand.

Benitez is not going to begin immediately as he arranges his relocation to Athens. This means that Rafa Benitez is going to be on the bench for their upcoming Europa League clash against Feyenoord. Benitez's arrival is expected to inject experience and prestige into a club that has not won the Greek title since 2010.

Rafael Benitez Salary

Here is a detailed breakdown of Rafael Benitez Salary at his new club, Panathinaikos:

Rafael Benitez Extends His Legacy

This latest appointment for Benitez extends a remarkable managerial journey that spans nearly four decades and several continents. Since beginning his career at Real Madrid's youth academy in the mid-1980s, he has managed some of the biggest clubs in world football, from Liverpool and Chelsea to Napoli and Real Madrid themselves. At 65, he now faces a very different challenge - transforming a Panathinaikos side struggling for consistency. His reputation for structure and discipline could bring stability to a club desperate to return to the European spotlight.

This move reflects the growing appeal of the Greek Super League to seasoned coaches looking to rejuvenate their careers.

His career is one of the most decorated among modern managers. He first rose to prominence with Valencia, winning two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup before moving to Liverpool in 2004, where he masterminded the club's miraculous Champions League triumph in Istanbul. After leaving Liverpool, he won the FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan, the Europa League with Chelsea and domestic silverware with Napoli.

What's Next for Rafael Benitez?

His debut on the touchline could come against Asteras Tripolis in the Super League. The Spaniard's immediate task will be to close the gap to the top of the table and stabilise a side that has struggled for rhythm this season. Long-term, the focus will be on restoring Panathinaikos to domestic dominance and European relevance. With a proven track record of turning underperforming teams into disciplined units, Benitez's arrival could mark the start of a new era for the Athens giants.