Juan Pedro Benali

Juan Pedro Benali Hammou (born 25 March 1969) is a Spanish professional football manager and executive who is the currently the head coach of Indian Super League club NorthEast United.

He spent his managerial and football executive careers in Spain, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, the UAE, Japan, Finland and India.

Career Benali made his coaching debut at Madrid-based club Las Rozas in 1997. In 1999, he joined Atlético Madrid as a technical assistant to Claudio Ranieri. From 2000 to 2001, he managed Ittihad Khemisset and SCC Mohammédia in the Moroccan top tier.

In 2001, Benali joined Al-Gharafa in Qatar. After a short stint with CO Transports in Tunisia, he joined UAE Football League club Sharjah FC in 2001. He won the 2002–2003 UAE President's Cup with the club. In 2003, Benali joined Al-Khaleej Sports & Cultural Club and continued with the club till 2005.

In 2016, Benali returned to Morocco as the sporting director of Botola club Moghreb Tétouan. Between 2017 and 2019, he served as the manager of Chabab Rif Al Hoceima in two stints. Later, until 2020, he had a short stint as the sporting director of Moghreb Tétouan again.

In January 2020, Benali was appointed as the manager of Botola club Ittihad Tanger and remained in charge until the end of the 2019–20 season.

On 18 March 2021, Benali was appointed as the manager of Botola club RS Berkane. He was sacked on 23 June after a loss against Wydad AC

On 18 April 2022, Benali was shortly re-appointed as the manager of Ittihad Tanger.

NorthEast United On 22 May 2023, Benali was appointed as the head coach of Indian Super League club NorthEast United on a one-year deal with an option to extend for another year. He led NorthEast to the semifinals of the 2023 Durand Cup but lost to East Bengal on penalties. On 3 January 2024, NorthEast United extended his contract until the end of the 2024–25 season with an option to extend for a further season.

2024 Durand Cup On 31 August 2024, NorthEast defeated Mohun Bagan SG 4–3 on penalties in the 2024 Durand Cup final. Benali became the first head coach to win a major trophy for the club.

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenure Team From To Record Chabab Rif Al Hoceima 1 July 2017 1 February 2018 Chabab Rif Al Hoceima 12 September 2018 8 April 2019 Ittihad Tanger 26 January 2020 6 November 2020 RS Berkane 18 March 2021 23 June 2021 Ittihad Tanger 18 April 202211 July 2022 NorthEast United 22 May 2023Present Total

Honours NorthEast United Durand Cup: 2024, 2025