Jorge José Benítez
Encyclopedia
Jorge José Benítez is an Argentine
former football
player, and coach.
El Chino Benítez started his career in Racing Club
in 1969; in 1973 he was transferred to Boca Juniors
, where he stayed until retirement in 1983. A gifted midfielder, he played 305 league matches and scored 40 goals for Boca, being instrumental in achieving the Metropolitano
title in 1976 and 1981, the Nacional
in 1976, the Copa Libertadores in 1977 and 1978 and the European/South American Cup in 1977.
Since he shared Boca's midfield with talented players such as Trobbiani, Suñé, Potente, Ribolzi, Berta, Zanabria, Brindisi
, and Maradona
, his place in the team was often compromised.
After retirement, Benítez worked as junior division coach in Boca Juniors, and was offered the post of main coach in November 2004 upon the resignation of (former teammate) Brindisi due to poor results.
Benítez's first achievement was to stabilize the team's performance, and indeed it went on to win the Copa Sudamericana
2004; management was convinced that he was the right man for the job, and extended the term of his contract, instead of going for a big-name coach.
On July 15, 2005, however, Benítez was sacked from Boca Juniors, following a poor performance by the team at the Libertadores Cup, and an incident at a quarterfinals match against Mexican team Chivas de Guadalajara, where the manager was seen spitting at Chivas player Adolfo Bautista
which had been caught clearly on tape. After being sacked, Benítez had flown to Guadalajara at a Chivas practice where he sought to formally apologize to Bautista, who ultimately forgave him, but refused to see him. Boca then proceeded to hire former national team
coach Alfio Basile
for the post.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player, and coach.
El Chino Benítez started his career in Racing Club
Racing Club de Avellaneda
Racing Club is an Argentine professional football club from Avellaneda, a suburb of Greater Buenos Aires. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the "big five" clubs of Argentine football...
in 1969; in 1973 he was transferred to Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors is an Argentine sports club based in La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently plays in the Primera División....
, where he stayed until retirement in 1983. A gifted midfielder, he played 305 league matches and scored 40 goals for Boca, being instrumental in achieving the Metropolitano
Metropolitano championship
The Metropolitano championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1984. The Metropolitano formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the first half of the year, the Nacional took place in the 2nd half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982...
title in 1976 and 1981, the Nacional
Nacional championship
The Nacional championship was an Argentine football tournament that existed between 1967 and 1985. The Nacional formed one half of the Argentine 1st division taking place in the second half of the year, the Metropolitano took place in the first half of the year. This arrangement lasted until 1982...
in 1976, the Copa Libertadores in 1977 and 1978 and the European/South American Cup in 1977.
Since he shared Boca's midfield with talented players such as Trobbiani, Suñé, Potente, Ribolzi, Berta, Zanabria, Brindisi
Miguel Ángel Brindisi
Miguel Angel Brindisi is an Argentine football coach and former attacking midfield player. He played for the Argentine national team at the 1974 FIFA World Cup and currently works as manager.-Playing career:...
, and Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
, his place in the team was often compromised.
After retirement, Benítez worked as junior division coach in Boca Juniors, and was offered the post of main coach in November 2004 upon the resignation of (former teammate) Brindisi due to poor results.
Benítez's first achievement was to stabilize the team's performance, and indeed it went on to win the Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
2004; management was convinced that he was the right man for the job, and extended the term of his contract, instead of going for a big-name coach.
On July 15, 2005, however, Benítez was sacked from Boca Juniors, following a poor performance by the team at the Libertadores Cup, and an incident at a quarterfinals match against Mexican team Chivas de Guadalajara, where the manager was seen spitting at Chivas player Adolfo Bautista
Adolfo Bautista
Adolfo "El Bofo" Bautista Herrera is an Attacking Midfielder/Forward who currently plays for Querétaro F.C. of Mexico.-Beginnings:...
which had been caught clearly on tape. After being sacked, Benítez had flown to Guadalajara at a Chivas practice where he sought to formally apologize to Bautista, who ultimately forgave him, but refused to see him. Boca then proceeded to hire former national team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
coach Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile
Alfio Basile , known as Coco, is an Argentine football coach and former player.-Playing career:Basile started his playing career at the Bella Vista club in his home city. From 1964 to 1970 he played for Racing Club, and then for Huracán, where he was a mainstay of the 1973 Metropolitano champions...
for the post.