Panathinaikos

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Panathinaikos FC v AS Roma - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8

Benitez facing sack as ex-Liverpool pupil lined up

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is teetering on the edge of unemployment once again as reports in Greece suggest Panathinaikos are ready to pull the trigger. The 65-year-old Spaniard, who arrived in Athens with much fanfare back in October, has seen his tenure turn sour after only a few months at the helm. Despite signing a lucrative two-and-a-half-year contract with a salary of approximately £3.5 million, the expected revolution has failed to materialise.

Rafa Benitez

Benitez set to secure 17th managerial job with shock club

Rafael Benitez is closing in 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, who has been out of work since leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024, is poised to become the highest-paid manager in Greek football history, marking his return after a 19-month break.

Frequently asked questions

Crystal Palace was originally founded in 1861 by the members of the Crystal Palace Company, who first founded a cricket club in 1857. The football team remained amateur until turning professional in 1905. Crystal Palace are the oldest football club still actively playing professional football in the world.

Steve Parish, who bought a stake in the club in 2010, has a 10% stake in Crystal Palace. American businessman John Textor, through his company Eagle Football Holdings, owns a 45% majority stake. Josh Harris and David Blitzer own 18% stake each, while investor Robert Franco owns 5% stake in the club.

Crystal Palace play their games at the Selhurst Park, which has been the club's home ground since 1924.

Selhurst Park has a capacity of 25,486. From 1985 to 1991, and from 1991 to 2003, Charlton Athletic and Wimbledon shared the venue with Crystal Palace, respectively.

Crystal Palace are yet to win a single major honour, making it to the FA Cup final twice.

No manager has led Crystal Palace to an English top flight title yet, with their best-ever finish coming in the 1990-91 season, when they finished third.

Former Scottish centre-back Jim Cannon holds the record for making the most appearances for Crystal Palace, playing 600 games while spending his entire career at the Selhurst Park.

Peter Simpson scored 165 goals during his five-season stint at the club (1929-30 to 1933-34) and is Crystal Palace's all-time top goalscorer.

Wilfried Zaha, Ian Wright, Wayne Hennessey, and Christian Benteke are some of Crystal Palace's most famous players ever.

Edmund Goodman, Terry Venables, Alan Pardew, Roy Hodgson, Frank de Boer, and Patrick Vieira are Crystal Palace's most famous managers ever.

Crystal Palace are famously known as The Eagles, a reference to their club badge which consists of an eagle holding a football.