Benigno 'Nino' Lema Mejuto (born 12 September 1964) is a Spanish retired footballright-back and manager.
Playing career
Born in Vigo, Province of Pontevedra, Lema played since the age of 8 with local giants RC Celta de Vigo. He made his La Liga debut on 31 August 1985 in a 1–1 away draw against Real Sociedad, and finished his debut season with 27 games and one goal as the Galicians suffered relegation with only 14 points; during his contract, he also served a loan in the lower leagues with Arosa SC.[1]
After retiring as a player, Lema settled in Alicante and worked with amateur teams in the Valencian Community, his first appointment being with Torrellano CF. In his beginnings, he also worked as a radio commentator in local matches.
In 2007–08, Lema signed for what would be his main club the following years, CD Dénia, leading it through its first season ever in the Segunda División B and helping to a 12th-place finish.[3] Subsequently, he moved to the professionals with Alicante CF (division two), but would only be in charge of the team for five games as one of four managers during the 2008–09 campaign, which ended in relegation.[4]
Returned to Dénia in summer 2009, Lema led the side to the fifth position in the first year in his second spell, just five points shy of the promotion playoffs. At the end of the 2011–12 season he decided to leave after their relegation, even though permanence was achieved on the pitch.[5][6]
Lema was appointed at Orihuela CF on 24 October 2012, following the dismissal of Sergio Inclán.[7]
References
^ ab"Benigno Lema" (in Spanish). Yo Jugué en el Celta. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
^Victoria, Víctor M. (9 December 2008). ""Si lo sé, no ficho por el Alicante"" ["If i only knew it, i don't sign for Alicante"]. Diario Información (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 October 2022.
^Zerón, Jesús (24 October 2012). "Nino Lema llega al rescate del Orihuela" [Nino Lema comes to the rescue of Orihuela]. Diario Información (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 October 2012.