Panathinaikos F.C.: Benítez Gone, the Cost of the Split is Heavy
Panathinaikos F.C.: Benítez Gone, the Cost of the Split is Heavy
Rafael Benítez is no longer with Panathinaikos F.C., with the club officially announcing the end of their collaboration. The decision came as the natural outcome of a season that failed to live up to the expectations created by the arrival of the Spanish coach.
The Big Name That Failed to Bring Change
Benítez’s appointment had been presented as a high-profile move by Greek football standards. Panathinaikos placed on its bench a coach with an impressive résumé, European titles, and experience in major leagues, but the performances on the pitch did not match the expectations.
His record with the Greens was 41 matches, with 20 wins, 11 draws, and 10 defeats, averaging 1.73 points per game. The numbers themselves were not disastrous, but they were not enough for a team that entered the season aiming to challenge for the top and ultimately ended up as a spectator.
Panathinaikos never developed a consistent identity, failed to maintain momentum after good performances, and in big matches often showed an inability to impose its rhythm. As a result, the presence of such an experienced coach did not translate into clear footballing progress.
The Super League and the Disastrous Playoffs
In the league, Panathinaikos finished the season in 4th place with 52 points, scoring 47 goals and conceding 33. The gap from the top was significant, as champions AEK Athens F.C. ended the season with 72 points, while Olympiacos F.C. finished with 66 and PAOK FC with 64.
Even during periods when there were signs of improvement, the team failed to build on them. The team’s performances in 2026 showed some better moments, but the ending erased much of that progress and left the feeling of a season the fans will want to forget quickly.
The most negative part of Benítez’s tenure was the playoffs. Panathinaikos completed them with 0 wins, 3 draws, and 3 defeats — something impossible to ignore during a stretch filled with derbies, where not only pride but also European qualification spots were at stake.
The Brightest Moments of the Season
Slightly better, though ultimately unsuccessful, was the team’s run in the Greek Cup. Panathinaikos reached the semifinals but was eliminated by PAOK FC after losing both matches with an aggregate score of 3-0.
The European campaign was the main positive aspect of the season. Panathinaikos reached the Europa League Round of 16, defeating Real Betis 1-0 in the first leg before suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat in the return match and being eliminated.
Even that, however, was not enough to change the overall picture. The European run gave prestige to the season, but it could not cover up the large gap from the top in Greece, the Cup disappointment, and the collapse in the playoffs.
The Future of Panathinaikos
The termination of the partnership also carries major financial consequences. According to reports, Benítez is expected to receive compensation of €5.5 million, to be paid in three or four installments, making his appointment an even heavier burden for the club.
Panathinaikos now enters another coaching search process, with the need for immediate decisions being urgent. Next season will begin early due to European commitments, and the new manager will have to build a team with very little time for adaptation.
The club’s management must now decide not only who will succeed Benítez, but also what overall football model it wants to follow. This season showed that a big name on the bench is not enough without a clear strategy, a properly built squad, and consistency in decision-making. This failed campaign must become a thing of the past before the gap from the top grows even wider.
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