The former Liverpool and Newcastle manager could be replaced by one of his former players.
Rafael Benitez is reportedly on the verge of another sacking, just four months after he was awarded a record-breaking contract.
The well-traveled 65-year-old, who has previously coached clubs such as Liverpool, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Newcastle, signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in October with Greek Superliga club Panathinaikos.
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He became the highest-paid manager in the history of the Greek Super League after signing a contract worth £4.4 million per season.
But the Spaniard has not had the best start in Athens, and Panathinaikos are currently in fifth place in the league, 16 points behind league leader AEK Athens.
In fact, several people behind the scenes at Panathinaikos are frustrated with Benitez’s methods, according to a report from Sky Sportd, which has described a so-called ‘dressing room rebellion’ at the club.
It is believed that some players are unhappy with their pre-match preparation under Benitez, as they believe ‘there is not enough tactical analysis to help them organise’ against upcoming opponents.
So bad is the condition that his position as head coach has become ‘untenable’ after the draw against AEL on Sunday. It is said that Panathinaikos’ next two games against Viktoria Plzen and OFI will decide Benitez’s future.
So who will take over if Benitez is fired? The club has already identified former Liverpool defender Igor Biscan as a potential replacement, according to Sport24.
In fact, talks are said to have taken place between Panathinaikos and Biscan, who played under Rafael Benitez at Liverpool and was part of the squad that won the Champions League in 2005.
Biscan last coached Qatari club Al Ahli, after stints at Olimpija Ljubljana, Rijeka and Dinamo Zagreb.
Benitez took the job at Panathinaikos after a difficult spell at Spanish La Liga club Celta Vigo, where he lasted for just nine months after achieving five wins and 24 points in 28 games.
His last major trophy came in 2014, when he won the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) with Serie A club Napoli.
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