Zarko Lazetic Takes Over at Saudi Side Al Taawoun on Lucrative Deal

Zarko Lazetic, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach, has officially signed with Saudi Pro League club Al Taawoun, about five months after being dismissed from the Israeli side. The club announced the move on Thursday, June 25, 2026, and presented him as a coach returning to the Middle East for an ambitious project.

Serbian media reported that Lazetic had been courted by several respected European clubs, but the Saudi offer was impossible to refuse. According to those reports, Al Taawoun gave him complete freedom to build the squad and promised him and his family a very high standard of living. His net salary was set at more than $2 million per season.

Lazetic also insisted that his entire professional staff come with him, and the deal was finalized only after the club agreed and promised high salaries for them as well. In addition, the contract includes a special clause guaranteeing at least one proven reinforcement from Serbia in the next transfer window, chosen by Lazetic himself.

Lazetic coached Maccabi Tel Aviv for a year and a half and won the league title with the club, but results in the previous season were disappointing. Heavy defeats to Beitar Jerusalem, Lyon, and Maccabi Haifa, followed by a 2-1 derby loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv, ended his tenure in Israel.