New Panathinaikos coach Rui Vitoria has been linked with Greece from time to time over the past decade. From influences, questions and interest, as footballers he worked with and will receive in the Stoiximan Super League, the “games of 43 million euros”, Leonardo Jardim, his tape and spring previous contact with the “green”.
Rui Vitoria Well. This is what the new coach of Panathinaikos will be – apart from the great and unexpected departure now.
And so, the circle of people who have linked the Portugal coach with Greece in the past is complete. This is true at every level.
His name appears again and again in everyday Greek life, at apparently the right times, when the subject of a coach in a top team was presented.
In most cases, time prevented any competition and discussion. For example, in the spring of 2015. Then PAOK finished the year with Giorgos Georgiadis (official) on his bench.
With the antennas (administration) of the “black and white” already mentioned by Portugal, it was considered that the 45-year-old Vitoria was at the time of the increase in the country’s coaching activities, to be at the time at the reins. de Guimarães, but his dynamism was so great that he did not see… Greece, making a step up in his career, by taking over the technical leadership of Benfica.
The next time he was involved with Greek teams (or seemed to be involved) was after leaving the Lusitanians, having completed his first tour outside Portugal at the same time.
His first stop was Al Nasr, at the beginning of January ’19. He signed a contract for a year and a half, sat less than one, earned him 6 million euros.
A situation that prevented it at all – if and as long as they were happening then … – thought the Greeks. One was recorded after his time in Saudi Arabia, for the AEK bench, after the departure of Manolo Jimenez.
There was nothing at all. Indicative that he then agreed, in May 2021, with Spartak Moscow for 4.5 million euros per year (AEK agreed with Vladan Milojevic).
Another thing happened a year later. The Portuguese had already left the Muscovites (the contract he signed was two years old), the Union changed three coaches in one season (Milogević, Giannikis, Ofrydopoulos), made a few exploratory strikes – and nothing else – on Vitoria’s side, in the end it turned to Matias Almeidas.
And the Iberian technician chose the position of an elector, agreeing with the Egyptian national team, also signing a two-year contract there, with more… global earnings, around 2.4 million euros per year.
More or less (a little less to be precise) with this situation it was first planned for Panathinaikos at the end of last season.
But then the pursuit of the owner of the “greens” for an agreement with Maurizio Sarri was dominant, when it turned out that it could not be carried out, the conditions were not suitable for something more with Vitoria (d’ He left the Pharaohs since February) , with the “greens” – under pressure and time… – ended up in Diego Alonso.
A tape Victoria It is estimated that it remains at the level of 2 million euros per year, how much more clearly than what the winners of the Greek Cup have agreed with their former coach of Uruguay now.
Mitroglou, Samaris, Vlachodimos, Zivkovic and… Jardim
His (apparently) new coach’s Greek connections are special Panathinaikou and at the level of partnerships.
In 2015, when he was in Benfica, he found him in Da Luz Andreas Samaritan and for him Filip Djuricic (two games, 91 minutes in total, the Serbian played under his instructions, he left in the next transfer window, in January ’16), and he got Kostas Mitroglou.
Initially on loan from Fulham (with an option to buy for the following year, which was exercised) and in fact played a catalytic role in essentially “stealing” the Greek forward from Sporting Lisbon and then coach Jorge Jesus (the one who succeeded him.Vitoria in the “eagle”).
The following summer (2016), he took from Vitoria Setúbal Andre Horta and after a series of terrible months, as a freeman from Partizan, Andria Zivkovicand the chain of related collaborations ending in the fall of 2017, when, with its own final proposal, the Lusitanians from Panathinaikos bought the Odyssea Vlachodimosand Ody moving to Lisbon – and Vitoria was immediately anointed as a starter – in the summer of ’18.
Then, his first encounter with a Greek team took place. In the “games of 43 million euros”, as the Portuguese press called the games with PAOK for the playoffs Champions Leaguehe eliminated Dikefalos after a 1-1 draw of the first match at the home of Benfica and… a parade (4-1) in the Toumba rematch.
In the group stage, AEK was in front of him, with Marino Ouzounidis on their bench. The Lusitians celebrated two victories, 3-2 at the Olympic Stadium and 1-0 in Lisbon.
One last thing worth noting is not directly related to Vitoria, but to his long-time agent, Mohammed Afzal.
He was also a substitute for Leonardo Jardim when Olympiacos took him to Greece.
Entered the game as a substitute for the Portuguese side during Vitoria’s tenure). Additionally, he had players like Kostas Mitroglou, who was a key figure for Benfica during that period. Mitroglou thrived under Vitoria’s guidance, scoring goals and showcasing his talent on the field, further cementing the coach’s reputation for nurturing players’ abilities.
Vitoria’s influence in Greece extends beyond just individual players. His connections have sparked interest among clubs in the Greek football scene, with many teams recognizing his ability to lead and develop talent. Notably, his time at Benfica had a significant impact on the Greek players he worked with, leading to discussions about his potential suitability for top Greek clubs.
As Vitoria takes the helm at Panathinaikos, the expectations are high. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how his previous experiences shape the future of the team. He inherits a squad that has its fair share of talent and potential, and his task will involve maximizing that potential while navigating the competitive landscape of the Stoiximan Super League.
With his history of successful coaching stints, including his achievements abroad, Vitoria’s arrival is seen as a promising development for Panathinaikos. The blend of familiarity with Greek players and his successful track record in Portugal suggests that he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the club. The coming seasons will reveal how well he can translate that experience into success on the pitch for Panathinaikos.