Henriksen: 'Interesting Choice' for Panathinaikos is Neestrup

René Henriksen, a former Panathinaikos star, has shared his thoughts on the club's decision to appoint 38-year-old Jacob Neestrup as their new head coach. Speaking to the Danish website Tipsbladet, Henriksen described the move as an "interesting choice" for the Greek club.

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I talk to 'Stefan' from time to time, and he is actually one of my very good friends in Greece. So when we meet there, we meet often. But what exactly we discuss, I would like to keep internal. We talk about many names, and we have been doing so for four years.

Henriksen revealed that he has discussed Neestrup with Stefanos Kotsolis, a former Panathinaikos goalkeeper and a close friend of Henriksen's in Greece. "I talk to 'Stefan' from time to time, and he is actually one of my very good friends in Greece," Henriksen said. "So when we meet there, we meet often. But what exactly we discuss, I would like to keep internal. We talk about many names, and we have been doing so for four years."

Henriksen acknowledged that while he is cautious about explicitly recommending individuals, Kotsolis often seeks his opinion on Scandinavian players. "He might ask me if I know a specific player from Scandinavia or if I know someone who knows him. That way, he can gain more knowledge about the players."

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He might ask me if I know a specific player from Scandinavia or if I know someone who knows him. That way, he can gain more knowledge about the players.

Regarding Neestrup's appointment, Henriksen believes it represents a new direction for Panathinaikos. "I think it's an interesting choice. I think Jacob did a very good job in Copenhagen, and he is an interesting coach," he stated. "The club has chosen a new direction this time. Previously, they had gone for big names and experienced coaches several times without really getting the results they wanted. Now they have chosen a new direction, with a younger coach, but professionally trained. I think this is very interesting and I like this approach."

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I think it's an interesting choice. I think Jacob did a very good job in Copenhagen, and he is an interesting coach. The club has chosen a new direction this time. Previously, they had gone for big names and experienced coaches several times without really getting the results they wanted. Now they have chosen a new direction, with a younger coach, but professionally trained. I think this is very interesting and I like this approach.

Henriksen also addressed the pressure Neestrup might face. "There is pressure, but one can say that Jacob Neestrup comes from something similar in Denmark. The pressure might be a little less in terms of results, but Copenhagen must and wants to have trophies in its cabinet every year as a starting point. Panathinaikos is exactly the same. That's what counts for them, and they would like to win a championship. But you also want to play football, so there are two aspects."

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There is pressure, but one can say that Jacob Neestrup comes from something similar in Denmark. The pressure might be a little less in terms of results, but Copenhagen must and wants to have trophies in its cabinet every year as a starting point. Panathinaikos is exactly the same. That's what counts for them, and they would like to win a championship. But you also want to play football, so there are two aspects.