Former Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez looks set for a return to management after more than 18 months out of the game.
As if Mike Ashley wasn’t unpopular enough at Newcastle United, Rafa Benitez’s exit in 2019 only served to increase fan frustration.
Benitez arrived at Newcastle in 2016 and even stayed with the Magpies after relegation to the Championship.
The Spaniard guided Newcastle back to the top flight and established the club in the Premier League once again.
Benitez’s contract came to an end in 2019, and despite fans pleading with Ashley to get the deal done, it wasn’t to be.
Rafa Benitez speaking to the media before former clubs Newcastle United and Liverpool faced off in the Premier League.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Rafa Benitez set to become Panathinaikos manager
Benitez moved on to Dalian Professional in China before spells with Everton and Celta Vigo.
Now 65, Benitez has been out of management for just over 18 months.
Benitez fancied a return to the Premier League, while Italy even considered a move for Benitez.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
AEK Athens even targeted Benitez over the summer, and a move to Greece is finally imminent – but not with AEK.
Sport24 in Greece report that Benitez has agreed to become the new Panathinaikos manager.
Benitez is already in Greece ahead of being unveiled by Panathinaikos, who lost to Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday night.
This may not quite be a Premier League return, but Benitez will be excited for his first venture into management in Greece.
Remy Cabella has just become one of Rafa Benitez’s rivals
Panathinaikos should be title challengers in Greece, but their disappointing start to the season means they sit in mid-table.
Benitez will look to turn Panathinaikos around and ultimately push up the table towards bitter rivals Olympiacos.
Olympiacos v Panathinaikos is a fierce rivalry, and Benitez will actually face a former Newcastle player when that game comes around in February.
Remy Cabella joined Olympiacos back in May, some nine years after leaving Newcastle to join Marseille permanently.
Cabella failed to live up to expectations at Newcastle and has turned out for the likes of Saint-Etienne, Krasnodar, Montpellier and Lille in recent times.
Now 35, Cabella is looking to win a league title in Greece this season, and now faces an unexpected meeting with Benitez in the coming months.