Portuguese Coach Rui Vitória Joins Panathinaikos as New Head Coach
Rui Vitória Takes Over as Panathinaikos Head Coach
Greek football club Panathinaikos has officially signed Portuguese coach Rui Vitória as their new manager. The club made the announcement on Thursday, confirming that Vitória has signed a contract lasting until June 2026 and will immediately begin his duties with the team.
Why Panathinaikos Chose Rui Vitória
Panathinaikos’ decision to bring Vitória on board follows the recent dismissal of former manager Diego Alonso on Wednesday due to a string of poor performances. Greek media reports indicated that Panathinaikos initially pursued Italian coach Maurizio Sarri, who has a history of managing major clubs like Napoli, Chelsea, Juventus, and Lazio. However, after discussions with Sarri fell through, Panathinaikos swiftly turned their attention to Vitória.
Rui Vitória’s Recent Career
Vitória’s most recent role was as head coach for Egypt’s national team, a position he held until February of this year. His tenure ended following Egypt’s penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Round of 16 during the latest Africa Cup of Nations.
Vitória’s Connections with Saudi Clubs
Recently, Vitória had also been linked to various teams in Saudi Arabia’s football league, with potential offers from clubs like Al-Ahli Jeddah and Al-Qadisiyah. However, his move to Panathinaikos marks his return to European football, where he will aim to revitalize the team and lead them to success in the Greek Super League.
Finally
Rui Vitória’s experience and strategic approach are anticipated to bring fresh momentum to Panathinaikos as he embarks on this new journey in Greek football. His long-term contract signals the club’s confidence in his ability to bring success and stability to the team.
