Maccabi Haifa upbeat as Bakhar brings new energy to training

Maccabi Haifa are training without Trivante Stewart, Giorgi Yermakov, Peter Agba, and Dixon Muhammed, who is set to formally join the club in September. The club will then decide whether to loan Muhammed out or place him in the youth team.

The main focus at the Carmel is coach Barak Bakhar, who is described as highly active and influential in training, projecting a sense of change to the players. Those around the club say he wants to erase the disappointment of the past two seasons.

Bakhar is already remembered for leading Haifa to a first league title in 10 years and, at a young age, becoming the joint record holder for Israeli championships with six, alongside Dror Kashtan and David Schweitzer. A club source told Sports Channel: "Barak came hungry for this season, he really wanted to stay and fix last season because he believes in the squad."

Meanwhile, Haifa are waiting for Dutch-Surinamese defender Radinio Balker, who has already agreed terms and wants to join. He is expected to arrive in Israel and sign a three-year contract, subject to extensive medical tests.