Ten Cate accepts Panathinaikos challenge

Panathinaikos FC have announced that Henk ten Cate is to take charge of the Athens outfit for the start of the 2008/09 season, the former AFC Ajax coach signing a two-year contract with the Greek Super League club.

'Major challenge'
The 53-year old Dutchman, who will officially take over at the end of June, said: "I am excited to take over as head coach of Panathinaikos. I am used to working at the highest competitive level and this is one of the reasons that I consider this step as a major challenge in my career. The organisation, the history and the ambition of Panathinaikos are of the highest order and I trust that we will achieve our goals. I can't wait to come to Athens and meet my players."

Barcelona success
Ten Cate arrives in Greece two weeks after leaving Chelsea FC, where he was assistant under Avram Grant. He enjoyed success in Spain as Frank Rijkaard's right-hand man at FC Barcelona where between them they led the Blaugrana to two Primera División titles and a UEFA Champions League crown between 2003 and 2006. He enjoyed a less fruitful period with Ajax as head coach, however, surviving less than a year-and-a-half at the Dutch giants. At Panathinaikos he takes over from José Peseiro, who left at the end of the Greek Super League season after guiding the club into the UEFA Champions League via the end-of-season play-offs. They enter Europe's premier club competition at the second qualifying round stage.