Maccabi Haifa Tells Captain Dolev Haziza He Is Not in Next Season’s Plans

Maccabi Haifa has formally informed captain Dolev Haziza that he will not be part of the squad next season, and he is expected to leave after seven years at the club. The news had first been reported by ynet. Haziza joined Haifa in the summer of 2019 after a strong season with Bnei Yehuda that included a top-six playoff berth and a State Cup win.

He quickly became a regular starter and played a major role in the club’s three straight league titles from 2021 to 2023, as well as its Champions League qualification in the 2022/23 season. In total, he made 182 Israeli Premier League appearances for the Greens and scored 33 goals.

The decision comes as part of a broad overhaul of the squad after the team’s disappointing last season. Along with Haziza, Haifa also parted ways with Abdoulaye Seck, another member of the title-winning, Champions League team, and with Michael Ohana.

The club’s coach, Barak Bakhar, also had his future questioned despite already extending his contract, but it was eventually decided that he would stay at least until the end of his deal. Even so, he was forced to say goodbye to members of his coaching staff.