Benitez is SACKED by Panathinaikos as former Liverpool and Chelsea boss leaves 4th job in five years

Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has been sacked by Greek side Panathinaikos after seven months in the role.

The Spaniard, who also coached the likes of Real Madrid, Everton and Newcastle, was appointed in October on a two-and-a-half-year deal. He led them to a fourth-place finish in the league.

It means he has left his fourth job in five years, having departed Dalian Professional in China in 2021, Everton in 2022, Celta Vigo in 2024 and now Panathinaikos too.

The club's official Instagram account posted: 'Thank you for everything, Rafa Benitez. Best of luck in your future.'

In a club statement, they said: 'Panathinaikos FC announces the completion of its collaboration with coach Rafa Benitez.

'We thank the Spanish coach and his staff for the professionalism and ethos they brought to our club during their time with the team. We wish Rafa Benitez every success in the rest of his professional career.'

Benitez, now 66, was picking up £4.4million a season in Greece but lost 10 of his 41 games in charge.

He led his side to the last-16 of the Europa League, but officials were less than impressed with performances and relieved him of his duties.

Panathinaikos lost 2-0 to arch-rivals Olympiakos in April, leaving club owner Giannis Alafouzos livid. The defeat is understood to be the result that left Benitez with no return.

The club will now have to compete in the Conference League next season.

Benitez said when he took the job: 'My idea is to be competitive in every match, but take it game by game.

'The goal is there, but we will go step by step. The essential thing is to have the right mentality.

'Our job is to lift every player and to build a connection with the fans.'

In his heyday, Benitez was one of the highest-rated managers in Europe, winning the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005.

He also has two Spanish titles to his name, as well as the Super Cup, the UEFA Cup and the Europa League, which he won with Chelsea in 2013.