Critic Slams Israel National Football Team Coach, Suggests Radical Overhaul

The author expresses deep frustration with the current state of the Israeli national football team, particularly criticizing coach Ran Ben Shimon's inconsistent tactics and player selections. Despite a recent draw against Ireland, where Dor Peretz scored, the author notes Peretz was not a starter in the previous match against the same opponent, highlighting a perceived lack of strategic clarity. The author questions the inclusion of Yarden Shua, suggesting it's pointless to call him up if he barely plays, and proposes he should focus on regaining form at his club, Beitar Jerusalem, before rejoining the national team.

Ben Shimon's coaching tenure is questioned, citing a lack of significant achievements beyond a league title with Bnei Sakhnin and an unsuccessful stint with the Cyprus national team. The author sees no clear progress or direction for the Israeli team under his leadership. Player performance is also scrutinized, with a mention of Oscar Gloukh's on-field confrontation and a general call for players to focus more on performance than social media presence, urging them to act less like "Real Madrid stars" and more like players committed to the national jersey.

The article suggests that the Israeli Football Association needs a new approach, especially since the team no longer plays its home games in Israel, leading to diminished fan interest. As a radical solution to reignite excitement, the author proposes appointing former star Eyal Berkovich as head coach, with Alon Mizrahi as his assistant, supported by an experienced professional for daily training. The author believes such an unconventional move could inject much-needed life into the team, as there is "almost nothing to lose" in their current situation.