Former goalkeeper Benito Joanet, who managed Espanyol among a number of other clubs, has passed away after testing positive for coronavirus.
As outlined by El Mundo Deportivo, the 84-year-old was already in a vulnerable state of health having recently suffered a stroke.
Joanet, a native of Esplugas de Llobregat, made his debut as a goalkeeper in the Primera Division with Espanyol in 1960 – spending five seasons at the Catalan club before going on to spend a further six years in the first team of Deportivo La Coruna.
At the Galician club he also took his first steps as a coach, which over time would lead him to go through a long list of teams including Hercules, Real Mallorca, Cadiz Castellon, Tenerife, Espanyol, Salamanca and Las Palmas.
As a Coach he achieved promotion to the top flight with three teams but he did not succeed with ‘his’ Espanyol, lasting just one season as the club in the top flight.
Image via El Mundo Deportivo
