Israel Soccer Coach Under Fire Amidst Calls for Immediate Change
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Coach Ran Ben Shimon faces calls for dismissal after poor team performances.
- Analysts criticize the team's style of play as not matching its quality.
- A return to strong defense and midfield is advocated by former players.
- A recent "humiliating" performance against Ireland has intensified criticism.
- The team's remaining three campaign games are seen as crucial for Ben Shimon's future.
The Israeli national soccer team's coach, Ran Ben Shimon, is facing intense criticism and calls for his dismissal following a string of poor performances. In a discussion on "Yatzi HaItunaim" (The Journalists' Stand), analysts expressed deep disappointment with the team's current trajectory, suggesting that Ben Shimon has lost the confidence of the nation.
Former player Itay Shechter argued that the team is attempting a style of play that doesn't match its actual quality, advocating for a return to basics with a strong defense and midfield. "We are trying to play soccer that doesn't match our quality," Shechter stated, suggesting that teams like Georgia and Iceland have achieved success by prioritizing a solid defensive structure.
Analyst Yonatan Cohen was particularly critical, labeling the team's 30-minute performance against Ireland as "humiliating" and a "red line" that has been crossed. He asserted that Ben Shimon has lost the support of the entire country, not just the locker room, and that an immediate, drastic change is necessary. Cohen indicated that if the team's performance doesn't improve in the remaining three campaign games, a separation from Ben Shimon would be inevitable.
The discussion comes ahead of Israel's Nations League match against Kosovo, where the team hopes to recover from two previous losses. Shechter also shared his personal pain and disappointment following the loss to Ireland, describing it as a deeply felt and inexplicable hurt.
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