Maccabi Tel Aviv Wins, But Pays Dearly for Stinginess

Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a 3-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa, propelling them to first place in the Israeli Premier League. However, the win comes after a summer of questionable financial decisions by the club's ownership, which have led to player dissatisfaction and potentially higher future costs.

The article highlights the club's approach to player contracts, citing the cases of Dor Peretz and Eran Zahavi. Peretz, despite being the league's top scorer, was offered a reduced base salary with incentives, a move perceived as devaluing his contributions. This mirrors a similar situation with Zahavi in 2016, who was offered a high-paying contract contingent on playing time, with the club refusing to cover his expensive insurance policy. This strategy, driven by owner Mitch Goldhar and CEO Benyamin Proscio, prioritizes cost-cutting and perceived value over player loyalty.

While Peretz ultimately stayed after a revised offer, the article suggests that such stinginess comes at a price. The club also allowed Gabi Kanyukovsky to leave for free last summer due to salary disputes, only to re-sign him this year for a reported €1 million fee. The acquisition of a 34-year-old defender from Rangers further exemplifies a pattern of short-term, potentially expensive solutions driven by a desire to save money.

The piece contrasts Maccabi Tel Aviv's approach with that of Hapoel Tel Aviv, emphasizing the latter's strong community and fan loyalty. It criticizes Hapoel Tel Aviv's fan base for being overly harsh towards player Stav Tzuriel, who is seeking a move to Italy's Serie A. The author argues that Tzuriel, at 25, deserves the opportunity for a career-defining move, especially given his contributions to the team.

Additionally, the article touches upon the promising performance of Matheus Dabo for Maccabi Netanya, predicting his eventual move to a larger club. It also praises the consistent coaching of Shi Brada at Kiryat Shmona, highlighting his stability amidst frequent managerial changes at the club. Finally, it briefly mentions Hapoel Be'er Sheva's recent luck in securing wins despite less-than-stellar performances.