Almog Cohen Takes Over as Beitar Jerusalem Coach, Aims for Championship

Almog Cohen has officially begun his tenure as the head coach of Beitar Jerusalem, expressing high ambitions for the team. Following the departure of Barak Itzhaki, who moved to a coaching role, Cohen emphasized his readiness for the challenge and his focus on hard work and team development. He described his early days as coach as enjoyable yet demanding, stating, "It's very fun and a big challenge, but I am definitely ready for it. We are working very hard as a team and that's where we will take it."

Regarding his relationship with Itzhaki, Cohen clarified there is no animosity, highlighting their close friendship and mutual respect. He said, "Barak was my friend before he came to Beitar, and while he was here we were more like brothers. I wished him success and his door will always be open."

Cohen outlined his football philosophy, insisting on high standards and continuous improvement. He compared himself to a judoka who trains daily to get better, focusing on proving himself every day. When asked about Beitar's chances of winning the championship this season, Cohen acknowledged the financial gap between Beitar and top teams like Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, and Hapoel Be'er Sheva. However, he stressed that everyone at Beitar understands the clear goal: to win the championship. He emphasized that success comes through hard work on the field and declined to elaborate further, promising more details in an upcoming press conference.