Eran Zahavi Criticizes Maccabi Tel Aviv Coach Lazetic as Weakest He's Known

Eran Zahavi, former star striker of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel's national team top scorer, openly criticized coach Zharko Lazetic in a recent interview with Omri Asenheim on Channel 13. Zahavi revealed tensions during his final season at Maccabi Tel Aviv, claiming from the start that his role was predetermined and that Lazetic had already decided that younger striker Dor Turgeman would be the first-choice forward. "From the moment I arrived at the first training, I suffered," Zahavi said, adding that he even agreed to halve his salary to stay on the team under the condition that playing time would be earned on the pitch by merit.

Zahavi accused Lazetic of dishonesty, stating, "He told me he saw Dor in all the games last year, but I asked him which games, and he couldn't justify it. I told him he was the weakest coach I've had because a player who scored 40 goals can't be the second striker." Zahavi emphasized that his issue was not with Turgeman's promotion but with the lack of transparency and fairness, feeling he was only played to give the younger player rest. He described the frustration of constantly warming up and being benched.

The striker also recounted a heated moment when Lazetic asked him if he could take a penalty kick, which angered Zahavi so much he wanted to physically confront the coach. Zahavi expressed disappointment with the fans as well, feeling forgotten and unsupported despite his contributions. His candid remarks shed light on the strained relationship between the player and coach during a difficult season for the club.