Former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez open to sensational Premier League return after Panathinaikos sack

Rafael Benitez has left the door open to a sensational return to the Premier League after leaving Greek club Panathinaikos, insisting he still has the desire and experience to take on another major coaching job.

The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United manager has been out of a job since Panathinaikos sacked him in May. 

In a recent interview, Benitez reflected on his time in Greece and opened up on the events leading up to his abrupt exit. He put it down to a lack of clarity and patience on the club’s part.

“The target was to finish in the top four,” Benitez told talkSPORT. “And then we started – we were seventh, and then we started doing well.

“We were the best team in the second part of the league [season]. We were doing so well that they changed the targets.

“And as soon as we lost the derby – normally the derby against Olympiacos is massive – we lost the derby, and they panicked, and they changed their minds.

“But anyway, it’s a great experience because, to be fair, the fans and even the president were fine. 

“But the way that they work here in Greece, they change their coaches all the time. And they are not patient. I think it’s also the same around the world.”

When asked about a potential Premier League return, the Spanish manager admitted he would be open to it but acknowledged it may not be easy.

Benitez is part of the ‘Old Guard’ whose tactical ideas may not align with modern football, so a lot of clubs will be cautious about giving him a shot despite his status in the game.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard insists that he is fully prepared for another opportunity in the Premier League and also admitted he’s open to offers from Serie A as well.

“There are not too many teams in England, in the Premier League, that will say, ‘OK, we’ll go for him’,” he said.

“Because now, they go for the young coaches that play progressive football, these kinds of things. But we are ready for another challenge.

“And then we are considering not just the Premier League but Serie A – any league that if you can stay around Europe will be fine. 

“If not, you have to think about maybe a national team or maybe another project. But to be fair, we are ready again because we have been working on football all our lives and we enjoy that.”

Benitez is one of the most experienced managers of his generation. He led Liverpool to their famous Champions League victory in 2005 before winning the FA Cup the following season.

He also won the Europa League at Chelsea and led Newcastle back to the Premier League by winning the Championship title in 2016/17.