Maurizio Sarri is very close to an agreement with Panathinaikos. The 65-year-old coach, who has won the Europa League with Chelsea and has worked with clubs such as Lazio, Juventus, and Napoli, is ready to sign a multi-year contract with Panathinaikos.
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Giannis Alafouzos traveled to Italy to finalize the deal for Panathinaikos, offering a substantial contract to the seasoned Italian coach from Lazio. He’ll likely sign for at least two years to lead the team back to Greek dominance and European success. Reports suggest a €4.5 million per year deal for 2+1 years.
As for Sarri, born in Naples in 1959, he’s been coaching for 35 years. Known for his explosive character and tactical acumen, he started coaching after years in banking. Despite an unsuccessful football career in his youth, he rose to prominence, winning accolades in Serie B with Empoli. His success continued with Napoli, where he nearly clinched the championship in his first season, followed by impressive performances with key players like Hamsik and Higuain. Despite his efforts, Juventus remained dominant.
During his Napoli stint, Sarri faced criticism from Maradona, but he brushed it off, stating Maradona was his idol. He then moved to Chelsea in 2018, winning the Community Shield and securing third place in the Premier League. His Chelsea tenure culminated in winning the Europa League, making him the only coach to defeat Unai Emery’s team in a final. After Chelsea, he coached Juventus, winning Serie A at 61, becoming the oldest coach to do so. Now, after a brief spell at Lazio, Sarri is heading to Athens to coach Panathinaikos. His tactical style evolved from a 4-3-1-2 at Empoli to a 4-3-3 at Napoli, which he still uses.
