Barak Itzhaki Nears Deal to Coach Cyprus Club Anorthosis

Translated & summarized from N12 by baba

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Hebrew · 5 newsrooms covering

Israeli coach Barak Itzhaki is reportedly on the verge of signing with Cypriot club Anorthosis, where he previously played. The move follows Anorthosis's dismissal of coach Nestor El Maestro due to a poor season start. Itzhaki's past success as a player for the club is seen as a key factor in his candidacy. This would mark Itzhaki's first coaching position abroad.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Barak Itzhaki is close to becoming the new coach of Cypriot club Anorthosis.
Anorthosis recently fired coach Nestor El Maestro after a poor start to the season.
Itzhaki previously played successfully for Anorthosis during the 2012-2013 season.
Itzhaki coached Beitar Jerusalem for over two years, winning a Toto Cup.
Anorthosis is a decorated club but has faced instability in recent years.

Israeli coach Barak Itzhaki is reportedly close to signing with the Cypriot club Anorthosis, where he previously played. Itzhaki, who left Beitar Jerusalem in the summer, has emerged as a leading candidate to take over the team.

Anorthosis announced on Monday the dismissal of coach Nestor El Maestro, who was appointed this past summer. El Maestro's tenure was marked by a poor start to the season, with the team securing only one win and suffering five losses, placing them 13th out of 14 teams in the Cypriot league.

According to reports from Cyprus, Itzhaki's past success as a player for Anorthosis during the 2012-2013 season, when he was on loan from Maccabi Tel Aviv, made him a relevant candidate. Itzhaki's first official coaching role was at Beitar Jerusalem, where he managed for over two years, leading them to a Toto Cup win, a State Cup final loss, and a second-place league finish.

Anorthosis Famagusta is one of Cyprus's most decorated clubs, notably being the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League group stage in the 2008-2009 season. However, the club has experienced professional and managerial instability in recent years, with their last title being the Cypriot Cup in 2021. Since then, they have struggled to compete for the championship and have mostly finished in the middle or lower half of the league table.