Benali, who coached the Tangier team in 2020, replaces Argentine manager Miguel Ángel Gamondi who stepped down, along with his assistant, former Moroccan international, Tarik Chehab, following the series of poor results recorded during the last days of the Botola Pro (D1) "Inwi" and the early elimination of the squad of the Throne Cup, the club said in a statement on Monday.

Benali has extensive knowledge of Moroccan soccer, as he had coached several clubs in the first division of the professional championship, including Chabab Mohammedia, Ittihad Zemmouri of Khemisset, Moghreb of Tetouan, Chabab Rif Al Hoceima and Renaissance of Berkane.

He has several coaching or assistant coaching experiences in Spain (Atlético Madrid, Las Rozas, Racing Santander), Qatar (Al Gharafa), UAE Emirati (Sharjah and Khor Fakkan) and Japan.