Rafa Benitez wants Premier League return after ‘complicated’ Panathinaikos exit

Rafa Benitez has declared himself ready for another Premier League job after opening up on his “complicated” dismissal by Panathinaikos.

The 66-year-old former Liverpool manager is looking for his next challenge after being sacked by the Greek club following just seven months in charge.

Benitez believes experienced coaches are now often overlooked in favour of younger managers associated with progressive football, but insists he is ready to return to England.

Benitez has already managed Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton in the Premier League.

His most successful spell in England came at Liverpool, where he won the Champions League in 2005 and remained for six years.

“I was in Liverpool for six years, Newcastle three years and Chelsea seven or eight months, and we were successful in all these projects,” Benitez told talkSPORT.

“But it seems that people have no patience now.”

The Spaniard admitted Premier League opportunities may be limited because clubs increasingly favour younger coaches, but he has not given up on returning.

“We are ready for another challenge,” he said.

Benitez is also open to working elsewhere in Europe, including Serie A, while a national team job could become another option.

Benitez was appointed by Panathinaikos in October after spending more than 20 months out of management.

He won 20 of his 41 matches and guided the club to fourth place in the Greek Super League. Panathinaikos also reached the Europa League last 16 and the semi-finals of the domestic cup.

However, a run of one win in nine matches eventually led to his dismissal.

Benitez believes expectations changed because of the team’s earlier progress.

“The target was to finish in the top four,” he explained. “We finished in the Europa League last 16 – that was the best result in the last 16 years. We were in the semi-final of the cup and we finished fourth.”

According to Benitez, the club then raised its targets before changing direction following a derby defeat to Olympiacos.

“They panicked and they changed their minds,” he said.

The former Liverpool boss also pointed to the club’s frequent managerial changes, describing the situation as “quite complicated”.

Benitez will now wait for the right opportunity as he considers jobs in the Premier League and elsewhere in Europe.

A national team role is also possible, but the Spaniard has made clear that he remains motivated to work in club football. The question is whether a Premier League side will give one of England’s most experienced former managers another opportunity.

Should a Premier League club give Rafa Benitez another chance?