Maccabi Netanya Coach Roni Levy Furious After Upset Loss

Maccabi Netanya's coach, Roni Levy, expressed extreme anger at his players following their surprising 2-0 defeat to bottom-ranked Hapoel Ramat Gan on Monday. Levy had warned his team that Ramat Gan, despite their league position, was a dangerous opponent due to bad luck, a prediction that proved accurate.

During halftime, Levy reportedly lambasted his defense for a lack of quality, aggression, and apathy, questioning their "heart and soul." Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Netanya's defensive frailties were exposed, conceding two easy goals. Players acknowledged the team's lack of depth and quality, hoping new signings would improve their performance.

The club is awaiting the arrival of two new foreign players: Benin national team defender Olivier Vebong Verdong and Brazilian midfielder Isaac Rodrigues de Lima. Both are expected to land in Israel within 24 hours. Verdong has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third, and will become the team's second-highest earner at approximately $260,000 per season, a significant acquisition for the club.

Netanya also had a potential midfielder signing fall through, and defender Itay Ben Shabbat is being pursued by Hapoel Petah Tikva, who are seeking Netanya's contribution to his salary. Meanwhile, Saba Khvadzhiani's contract is being terminated, with the club potentially agreeing to a lump sum payment of $90,000 for his immediate departure.