Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Late-Coach Pattern Shows June and August Appointments Are Not Unusual

As of June 20, Maccabi Tel Aviv still has not announced its next head coach, even though the club is scheduled to begin training in two days and wants a permanent manager in place at the Kiryat Shalom training ground. Sporting director Steven Vanharen has been in Israel since Thursday, after already working with CEO Jack Angelidis to narrow the search for next season’s sideline leader. Four finalists were considered over the past week, including Kenny Miller, who finished last season as the team’s coach and won the State Cup.

Fan frustration has been building on social media for days, not only over the coach search but also over the future of captain Dor Peretz. Supporters want stability, clarity, and a strong figure on the touchline before the new season starts. Even so, the club’s history shows that a late coaching appointment is not unusual, and it has still managed to win titles after making decisions in June or even August.

The most recent coach to sign in June was Zarko Lazetic, who was announced on June 24, 2024. Robbie Keane signed on June 26, 2023. Other foreign coaches arrived even later in the summer, with Giorgos Donis signing on August 12, 2020, and Paco Ayestarán on August 26, 2014, although that season opened with Oscar Garcia and Ayestarán was brought in only after Garcia left.

Earlier summer appointments also included Slaviša Jokanović, who was presented on June 14, 2015, Shota Arveladze on June 16, 2016, and Paulo Sousa on June 11, 2013. Only two foreign Maccabi Tel Aviv coaches signed in May, Oscar Garcia on May 22, 2012, and Vladan Ivic on May 31, 2018. The club now needs to appoint a coach quickly, with Europa League qualifying beginning in about a month and several other issues unresolved, including possible departures of Roy Revivo and Tyrese Asante.