Gustavo Benítez (footballer, born 1953)

Gustavo Benítez (born 5 February 1953) is a retired Paraguayan football defender and coach.

For other people named Gustavo Benítez, see Gustavo Benítez.

Gustavo Benítez
Benítez with Palestino in 2011
Personal information
Date of birth (1953-02-05) 5 February 1953
Place of birth Paraguarí, Paraguay
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1974–1975 Olimpia Asunción
1975–1980 Granada CF 135 (11)
1980–1985 Olimpia Asunción
1985–1987 Atlético Nacional
1987–1989 Olimpia Asunción
National team
1975–1985 Paraguay 42 (2)
Teams managed
1994 Olimpia Asunción
1995–1998 Colo-Colo
1999–2000 Racing Santander
2001 Racing Santander
2003 Rayo Vallecano
2004–2005 Olimpia Asunción
2008 Cobreloa
2010–2011 Palestino
2013 Colo-Colo
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

As a player, Benítez won several national championships with Olimpia Asunción, where he was a key part of the defence.

He also made 42 appearances for the Paraguay national football team, and competed at the 1987 Copa América in Argentina.[1]

Coaching career

After retiring from football as a player he became a coach. At Chilean club Colo-Colo, he won three Chilean league championships (1996, 1997, 1998) and one Copa Chile (1996).

In January 1999, Benítez replaced the sacked Nando Yosu at the helm of Spanish La Liga club Racing de Santander, and saved the team from relegation. He resigned at the end of the following season, after a second consecutive 15th-place finish caused some dissent from the fans;[2] his Russian striker Vladimir Beschastnykh told his country's Sport Express in January 2000 that he wanted the Cantabrians to lose so that Benítez could be dismissed.[3]

Benítez returned to the Estadio El Sardinero in March 2001 after the dismissal of Gregorio Manzano, for what remained of the season plus two more.[4] However, he lost his job on 5 October after a poor start to the Segunda División campaign following relegation, and was replaced by Quique Setién.[5]

In February 2003, Benítez was back in Spain's top flight, taking over a Rayo Vallecano team placed in 18th.[6] After winning twice in ten games, putting the team into their eventual last position, he was dismissed on 14 April and Antonio Iriondo appointed.[7]

On 1 April 2010 CD Palestino officials hired the former Cobreloa and Colo-Colo coach to replace Jorge Aravena who quit about two weeks ago.[8]

References
  1. Mamrud, Roberto (17 June 2009). "Paraguay - Record International Players". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  2. "HISTORIA / Cap. 13 Un equipo consolidado entre los grandes" [HISTORY / Chapt. 13 A team consolidated among the big guns] (in Spanish). Racing de Santander. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  3. "Bestchastnykh desea que pierda el Racing para que echen a Benítez" [Bestchastnykh wants Racing to lose so Benítez can be sacked]. El País (in Spanish). 7 January 2000. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  4. "Gustavo Benítez vuelve al Racing de Santander" [Gustavo Benítez returns to Racing de Santander] (in Spanish). Emol. 20 March 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  5. "El Racing hace oficial la destitución de Gustavo Benítez" [Racing make Gustavo Benítez's dismissal official]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 5 October 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  6. "Benítez is Rayo hope". UEFA. 4 February 2003. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  7. "Iriondo in for Benítez at Rayo". UEFA. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  8. Benítez presentado en Palestino: "A lo mejor conmigo tienen más suerte"


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