Benito Jóanet belongs to the 'very select' group of coaches who got promotion to the First Division with Tenerife. Only four knew how to do it: Heriberto Herrera in 1961, Rafa Benítez in 2001, José Luis Oltra in 2009 and the Catalan did it in 1989 and therefore his death has caused deep regret in Tenerife. Miguel Concepción, president of the entity, dismissed him with a heartfelt letter.
“Today we mourn one of the great personalities in the history of our club, a true example – in terms of principles and values - for past and future promotions of Tenerife”, highlighted the writing. “A big hug for your family and friends. At the heart of all the Blue and Whites will always be the coach who led the rise that transformed Tenerife.”
For the entity's top president, the sporting success of that campaign “was led, in his capacity as technical director, by Benito Joanet, whom today we bid farewell with heartfelt tears, for his chivalry, his knowledge, his pedagogy, his nobility, his skill and work, values that undoubtedly represent the club and its fans. “
He was the coach who directed “one of the most beautiful works in the history of our club during the past century … The promotion of 1989, second in the collective biography of our entity to the First Division, it was one of the most celebrated successes in Tenerife's almost 100 years of existence “, remarked the president.
Total, There were 48 games that Benito Jóanet led the insular team, with a balance of 25 wins, ten draws and 13 defeats. It opened with a draw against Telde in Copa del Rey and his first league victory was in the derby against Las Palmas (3-1). He achieved promotion in the remembered Promotion against Real Betis, who thrashed 4-0 at Heliodoro and lost 1-0 in Seville.
Players from that season also remembered him on the club's official website. For example Quique Medina, who also had Jóanet in the coach course evoked: “He was a coach close to the player, although at the same time demanding as the most. You could be talking to him about your life and in 15 minutes he was giving you a hard time so you wouldn't relax for even a moment. “
Toño Hernández left “an important part of my history, the driving force and protagonist of the start of a great stage for our team. We live an unforgettable season, hand in hand with a great coach who was also a great person, “he said.
David AmaralFor his part, he highlighted his work in those difficult years: “The club's subsequent greatness had a before, and in that before Benito Joanet was a main protagonist. He had to live a difficult time, but with his great work he took the team to the First Division. It has a place of honor in the history of this institution for its professionalism, but above all for its behavior. “