Arik Benado


Ariel "Arik" Benado is a retired Israeli football defender.

Playing career

Benado was a second generation player at Maccabi Haifa; his father, Shlomo, appeared for Haifa in the 1970s. Arik began playing at the age of nine, rising through the ranks to the senior team. He spent a two-year spell with Beitar Jerusalem in the mid-1990s to gain experience. He has won five league championships and a State Cup title with Maccabi. Benado is also a long-standing member of the Israeli national team where he holds the record as the most capped player, and plays as a central defender. He is a tough defender, his strength lies in his tackling due to quick foot work. He had successfully defended against top strikers with the club and the national team in Europe. He has also appeared for Maccabi in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Beitar signed him for his second term in the club for the 2006/2007 season.
On June 2010, Benado agreed to return to Maccabi Haifa for one last season before his retirement in June 2011. He started on the bench but quickly became Elisha Levi's first choice in Maccabi Haifa's defense, helping Maccabi Haifa to win the championship.

Coaching career

On 17 November 2012, Benado was appointed as caretaker manager for Maccabi Haifa, before being appointed as the full manager a week later on 25 November 2012.
On 25 February 2014, Benado was appointed as the assistant manager for Eli Guttman in the Israeli national football team.
On 4 May 2015, Benado was appointed as the manager for the Israel national under-21 football team.

Honours

Player

;Club