Barak Yitzhaki Set to Coach Cyprus' Anorthosis Famagusta

Israeli coach Barak Yitzhaki is reportedly on the verge of signing a two-year contract with Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta, with his arrival in Cyprus expected as early as today. Cypriot media reports indicate that Yitzhaki has been chosen for the role and that the deal is finalized, with his presentation potentially occurring at the afternoon training session.

The club, based in Famagusta, had considered three to four candidates before selecting Yitzhaki. The training schedule was reportedly adjusted to accommodate the finalization of his move, and he may even lead the session.

Yitzhaki's coaching career includes a stint as interim coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv and a more than two-year tenure at Beitar Jerusalem, where he won the Toto Cup, reached the State Cup final, and secured a second-place league finish. This move to Anorthosis marks his first international coaching position.

Anorthosis Famagusta is a decorated club in Cyprus, notably being the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League group stage in the 2008/09 season. However, the club has experienced recent instability. Their last title was the Cypriot Cup in 2021, and they have struggled to compete for the league championship since, often finishing in the middle or lower half of the table.

Just yesterday, Anorthosis announced 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 one win and five losses, leaving the team in 13th place out of 14 in the Cypriot league.