Former Israeli Footballer Slams Almog Cohen's Coaching Inexperience

Former Israeli international Eli Ohana has sharply criticized Almog Cohen's lack of experience as a professional manager, following a dismal start to the season for his club, Beitar Jerusalem. Beitar currently sits second from last in the Israeli Premier League after two matches, with a goal difference of minus six, including a humiliating 3-0 loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Ohana argued that the role of professional manager is distinct from day-to-day coaching, involving less direct player interaction. He suggested Cohen, who also brought in Yitzhaki without prior experience but had Cohen to consult, is out of his depth in his current capacity. "It was clear that a professional manager is a completely different role. You are not involved in the day-to-day, you don't deal with players, you don't need to see players' faces. Suddenly he has to make substitutions, react, and apparently, he lacks the experience," Ohana stated.

Ohana further lamented Beitar Jerusalem's offensive struggles, noting that the team seemed incapable of scoring even after extended play. He expressed concern over the form of key players like Yarden Shua and Omer Atzili, as well as Eugene Ansah's effectiveness within the current formation. He also pointed to the underperformance of promising players like Yonatan Weissman and Tomer Yosefi, with Weissman benched due to insufficient performance.

In contrast, Nir Klinger praised Hapoel Tel Aviv's tactical setup and squad, suggesting they are on par with top teams like Beersheba and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Klinger noted Hapoel's strong defense and aggressive midfield, though he advised they need to strengthen their backline to contend for the championship. He also commented that while Hapoel Tel Aviv's coach, Eliniv Barda, is doing well, a championship title is not expected this season, with a top-three finish being a realistic goal.