Ex-Barça: Henk ten Cate to Panathinaikos

Two weeks after he had been dismissed as Chelsea assistant coach (read more here), former Barcelona assistant coach Henk ten Cate (53) was yesterday appointed as the new Panathinaikos manager.

The statement on the official Panathinaikos website reads as follows: "Panathinaikos announces the hiring of the Dutch Henk ten Cate as Head Coach. Mr. ten Cate signed a 2 year contract and he will arrive in Greece at the end of June for his official presentation from the club."

In a first reaction to the Greek club's official media, Ten Cate showed his satisfaction about the move: "I'm delighted to have reached an agreement with Panathinaikos FC. In my career I have been used to working at the highest level of competition and that's one of the reasons why I consider this new step to be a great challenge. Panathinaikos' organization, history, ambition and attitude towards football in general match those of the greatest football clubs in Europe, so I'm confident that we will achieve our goals. I'm looking forward to coming to Athens and meeting my players."

Henk ten Cate was the first assistant of Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard between 2003 and 2006. He arrived from Dutch club NAC Breda where he was head coach. Three years later, Ten Cate left Barcelona to become the manager of Ajax Amsterdam. With Barcelona, Ten Cate won two consecutive Spanish league titles in 2005 and 2006, one Spanish super cup in 2005 and one Champions League in 2006.

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Ex-Barça: Henk ten Cate dismissed by Chelsea

Former Barcelona assistant coach Henk ten Cate (53) has yesterday been dismissed by English Premier League club Chelsea, who he joined in October last year as assistant to manager Avram Grant. The Chelsea manager had to leave the club last weekend.

The dismissal was announced in a statement on the club's offcial website saying: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm we have terminated Henk Ten Cate's contract today. This follows a meeting this morning. As a result of the team management changes at Chelsea FC, and in the light of any forthcoming appointment, it was clear this was the correct decision for all parties."

Henk ten Cate was the first assistant of Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard between 2003 and 2006. He arrived from Dutch club NAC Breda where he was head coach. Three years later, Ten Cate left Barcelona to become the manager of Ajax Amsterdam. With Barcelona, Ten Cate won two consecutive Spanish league titles in 2005 and 2006, ons Spanish super cup in 2005 and one Champions League in 2006.

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Ex-Barça: José Mari Bakero

Chelsea wants Rijkaard

Ex-Barça: Ronald de Boer

Rijkaard feels used

Spanish news site El Confidencial claims that Frank Rijkaard (45) is blaming his former Barcelona assistant Henk Ten Cate for the rumours that appeared in the English media last week that Rijkaard decided not to continue in Barcelona and could be interested to join Chelsea (read more here and here). The Dutchman's brother and advisor, Herman Rijkaard, had to come out and deny the rumours (read more here).

Rijkaard thinks he is being used by Ten Cate who doesn't have a good relationship with current Chelsea manager Avram Grant and who would like to return to work together with Rijkaard.

Chelsea wants Rijkaard

British tabloid The Daily Mail says that Chelsea manager Avram Grant is under growing pressure after the League Cup final defeat against Tottenham last weekend. If Chelsea doesn’t win a trophy this season, Grant will be on his way out in the summer.

The Daily Mail claims that Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (45) is the clear favourite to replace Grant. Rijkaard would have plans to leave Barcelona at the end of the season and a move to Chelsea would give him the opportunity to link up again with his former assistant Henk Ten Cate.