Panathinaikos Give Vote Of Confidence To Ten Cate

Major Panathinaikos shareholder Andreas Vgenopoulos (pictured) has thrown his support behind manager Henk Ten Cate.

The president of the Panathenian Unifying Movement (PEK) - a group who are involved with the club in an administrative and financial capacity - told Greek newspaper Sportday that the Dutchman could be with the club for “many years”.

“I have said before and I’ll say it again, we fully support Mr. Ten Cate,” Vgenopoulos said.

“He will stay with the club for two years and will then be judged on his work.

“He could stay at Panathinaikos for many years.”

Such sentiments will no doubt be welcomed by fans of a club that has developed a reputation as something of a managerial graveyard in recent years.

Stability has been rare for Panathinaikos both on and off the pitch, though the sale of the club by traditional owners, the Vardinogiannis family, this summer appears to have ushered in a new era for the Athenians.

It was a move supported by Vgenopoulos and PEK and his recent comments about Ten Cate followed a meeting also involving president Nikos Pateras and major shareholder Giannis Vardinogiannis.

In the wake of the discussions between the club figureheads, Vgenopoulos also outlined the club’s attitude towards potential transfer movements in January.

Having lost midfielder Alexandros Tziolis to Werder Bremen on loan and having already sold Brazilian striker Gabriel Souza, the Athenians will be keen to replenish their squad ahead of a UEFA Champions League meeting with Villarreal.

“Not only do we have money to spend, but we are ready to spend it,” Vgenopoulos said.

“If a player costs €10 million but is as good as Gilberto Silva, then we will try to buy him.

“But we also need some luck to find the appropriate players and to make sure the negotiations go well.”

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com