Beñat San José Gil (born 24 September 1979), is a Spanish association football manager and former footballer who played as a left winger, who is currently in charge of Rayo Vallecano.
He is the youngest manager in Gulf and Saudi history to have won a title, the 2013 Saudi Kings Cup at the age of 33 with Al-Ittihad.
Playing career Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, San José represented Real Sociedad and Antiguoko as a youth. As a senior, he represented Hernani, Universidad del País Vasco, Tolosa, Basconia, Berio, Orihuela, Saint-Jean de Luz Foot and Pasaia, aside from more than a year representing the Spain national beach soccer team.
Managerial career San José started his coaching career with Ekintza Ikastola, and joined Real Sociedad's youth teams in 2008, from Antiguoko. In August 2012, he moved abroad, being named manager of the under-21 team of Al-Ittihad.
In February 2013, San José replaced compatriot Raúl Caneda at the helm of the first team, and finished the campaign in seventh; at the Kings Cup he led the club to the eight cup title of their history, and at the age of 33, he became the youngest manager to lift a trophy in Saudi Arabia. On 1 December, however, he was sacked.
In July 2014, San José was named Al-Ettifaq manager in the place of Ioan Andone, but was sacked the following 17 February. On 17 September 2015, he took over Deportes Antofagasta in Chile, replacing resigned José Cantillana.
On 22 May 2016, San José switched teams and countries again, after being appointed manager of Bolívar. On 20 December of the following year, he resigned, and was announced as Universidad Católica manager the following day.
On 10 December 2018, after lifting the year's Primera División trophy, San José left the UC, and joined Al-Nasr five days later. He was sacked the following 1 April, after a string of poor results.
On 24 June 2019, San José returned to Europe after being named manager of Belgian club Eupen. On 27 April 2021, he left the club after opting to not renew his contract.
On 18 May 2021, San José was appointed as manager of Liga MX club Mazatlán. He was dismissed the following 2 March, with the club in the 14th position.
On 12 November 2022, San José agreed to return to Bolívar, replacing Antônio Carlos Zago. He resigned on 19 November 2023 after being touted to return to Mexico, five days later, Atlas announced him as manager for the 2024 Clausura.
On 17 February 2025, San José returned to his home country after being named manager of Segunda División side Eibar, replacing the sacked Joseba Etxeberria. On 18 June of the following year, he left after accepting an offer from another club, and was announced at La Liga side Rayo Vallecano just hours later.
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenure TeamNatFromToRecord Al-Ittihad23 February 20138 December 2013 Al-Ettifaq1 May 201417 February 2015 Deportes Antofagasta17 September 201520 May 2016Bolívar21 May 201620 December 2017Universidad Católica21 December 201710 December 2018Al-Nasr15 December 201830 March 2019Eupen24 June 201929 April 2021Mazatlán18 May 20212 March 2022Bolívar12 November 202219 November 2023Atlas1 January 20249 December 2024Eibar17 February 202518 June 2026Rayo Vallecano18 June 2026PresentTotal —
Honours Manager Al-Ittihad King Cup of Champions: 2013
Bolívar Bolivian Primera División: 2017 Apertura, 2017 Clausura
Universidad Católica Chilean Primera División: 2018
References
External links