Maccabi Tel Aviv Set to Keep Kenny Miller After Coaching Search Shifts

Maccabi Tel Aviv is expected to officially announce within the next day that Kenny Miller will remain the team’s head coach. That was not the club’s original plan, but a series of developments pushed it toward the Scot, who was never the clear favorite in the management’s eyes.

According to the report, Maccabi had two main coaching targets, but both options likely fell through because of the latest round of fighting with Iran. One of those candidates was Mexican coach Efrain Juarez, who chose to stay with Givor, the former club of Maccabi’s new sporting director, Steven Vanhaeren.

Miller arrived in Israel as Ronny Deila’s assistant and was promoted to head coach during the season after the Norwegian left. Since the end of last season he had been in the running, though he was not seen as the preferred candidate. Still, the club valued his cup triumph over reigning league champions Hapoel Beersheba, as well as his familiarity with the players and the organization, and the passage of time also worked in his favor.

Before being appointed permanently, Miller held two more interviews during the summer. He is also aware that Dor Peretz may leave and that Roy Revivo is determined to move abroad. Miller is expected to sign a one-year contract with an option for one more season.