Ben Manga Explained

Ben Manga
Fullname:Bienvenido Manga Ubenga
Height:1.70 m
Birth Date:1974 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Bata, Equatorial Guinea
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1978–1993
Youthclubs1:VfR Neuss
Years1:1993–1996
Clubs1:Fortuna Düsseldorf
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:1996
Clubs2:Wuppertaler SV
Years3:1996–1997
Clubs3:KFC Uerdingen 05
Years4:1997–2000
Clubs4:Alemannia Aachen
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Years5:2000–2001
Clubs5:Karlsruher SC
Caps5:21
Goals5:0
Years6:2001–2002
Clubs6:Wormatia Worms
Caps6:11
Goals6:1
Years7:2002–2003
Clubs7:GFC Düren 09
Caps7:22
Goals7:1
Years8:2003–2005
Clubs8:Alemannia Aachen
Caps8:21
Years9:2005
Clubs9:Alemannia Aachen II
Caps9:1
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:1990s
Nationalteam1:Equatorial Guinea
Manageryears1:2003–2005
Managerclubs1:Alemannia Aachen (D youth)
Manageryears2:2005–2008
Managerclubs2:Alemannia Aachen (C youth)
Manageryears3:2008–2010
Managerclubs3:Alemannia Aachen (U17)[1]
Manageryears4:2003–2011
Managerclubs4:Alemannia Aachen (scout)
Manageryears5:2011–2012
Managerclubs5:1899 Hoffenheim (scout)
Manageryears6:2012–2016
Managerclubs6:VfB Stuttgart (scout)
Manageryears7:2016–2022
Managerclubs7:Eintracht Frankfurt (scout and squad planner)
Manageryears8:2022–2023
Managerclubs8:Watford (technical director)
Manageryears9:2024–
Managerclubs9:Schalke 04 (technical director)

Bienvenido "Ben" Manga Ubenga (born 11 February 1974) is an Equatoguinean former footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently technical director of 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04.

Career

Ben Manga was born in Bata. He managed three scoreless Bundesliga appearances for Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 1995–96 season.[2]

In July 2016, Manga was appointed Chief Scout of Eintracht Frankfurt,[3] a role in which he held until 2021 when he also took on the role of Director of Football.[4] On 30 November 2022, he departed the club by mutual consent.[5]

On 22 December 2022, Manga was appointed technical director of EFL Championship club Watford.[6] In the following winter transfer window Ismaël Koné and João Ferreira were signed, Henrique Araújo loaned. Mangas only summer transfer window at Watford saw the hiring of Valerien Ismael as coach, and players like Mileta Rajkovic, Tom Ince, while some top performers left. He departed the club in October 2023.[7]

On 10 May 2024, Schalke 04 announced that Manga became their new director of squad planning, scouting and youth academy.[8]

Personal life

He lives in the English city of London and also holds German citizenship. Manga also worked as an auto mechanic. He has a cousin, Juan Oburu, who plays for TV Jahn Hiesfeld.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ben Manga . de . Alemannia Aachen . 5 July 2012.
  2. Web site: Manga, Ben . de . kicker.de . 5 July 2012.
  3. Web site: Chefscout Ben Manga verlängert bis 2023. Chief scout Ben Manga extends contract through to 2023. de. profis.eintracht.de. 23 July 2019. 22 December 2022.
  4. Web site: Ben Manga commits to Eintracht Frankfurt. em.eintracht.de. 5 March 2021. 22 December 2022.
  5. Web site: Eintracht Frankfurt and Ben Manga part company. en.eintracht.de. 30 November 2022. 22 December 2022.
  6. Web site: Ben Manga: Technical Director Confirmed. watfordfc.com. 22 December 2022. 22 December 2022.
  7. Web site: Club Statement: Ben Manga. www.watfordfc.com. 12 October 2023. 13 October 2023.
  8. Web site: Ben Manga joins FC Schalke 04. FC Schalke 04. 10 May 2024.
  9. Web site: Oburu jetzt in der Viererkette . de . derwesten.de . 9 September 2009 . 5 July 2012.