Israeli Coaches in Cyprus: A Look at Past Successes and Failures
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Barak Itzhaki has been appointed head coach of struggling Cypriot club Anorthosis, aiming to boost his career abroad. An examination of past Israeli coaches in Cyprus reveals mixed outcomes, with some like Eli Guttman and Ran Ben Shimon seeing career advancements, while others like Yossi Mizrahi and Nir Klinger experienced neutral or limited impact. The trend suggests job instability for coaches in Cyprus, posing a risk for Itzhaki, who is moving from a position of success.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Barak Itzhaki appointed coach of struggling Cypriot club Anorthosis.
- Past Israeli coaches in Cyprus show mixed career impacts.
- Eli Guttman and Ran Ben Shimon saw career boosts from Cypriot stints.
- Yossi Mizrahi and Nir Klinger had limited career impact from Cyprus.
- Coaches in Cyprus often face job instability and quick dismissals.
- Itzhaki's move from success to Cyprus is seen as a significant gamble.
Former successful coach Barak Itzhaki has taken on a new role as the head coach of Anorthosis, a team currently struggling at the bottom of the Cypriot league. Itzhaki, who previously coached and achieved success with Beitar Jerusalem for two years, is looking to replicate his achievements abroad, potentially opening doors to more attractive coaching opportunities.
To assess Itzhaki's prospects, the article examines the history of Israeli coaches in Cyprus. Yossi Mizrahi had a brief stint with Apollon Limassol in 2007, finishing fifth in the league before returning to Israel to help MS Ashdod avoid relegation. His Cypriot experience is described as a neutral stop on his career path.
Eli Guttman's time in Cyprus was more impactful. After a difficult period coaching Hapoel Be'er Sheva, he managed Doxa Katokopias and then Nea Salamina, helping them avoid relegation. He later returned to Cyprus to coach AEK Larnaca, which preceded a highly successful period in Israel with Hapoel Tel Aviv, culminating in a league and cup double and Champions League qualification. Guttman's Cypriot experience is seen as a relaunching pad for his career, leading to his eventual coaching of the Israeli national team.
Nir Klinger spent the longest period in Cyprus, coaching five different teams between 2006 and 2010. This came after a period of career difficulty following his dismissal from Maccabi Tel Aviv. Despite the extended stay, his time in Cyprus did not significantly elevate his standing in Israeli football.
Roni Levy also had two stints with Anorthosis, the same club Itzhaki now manages. While he achieved some success, including leading the team to fourth place in his first season, his tenures ended in resignation. His career in Israel continued without significant impact from his Cypriot experience.
Ran Ben Shimon had a more notable Cypriot journey. He coached AEK Larnaca, finishing fourth, and later took charge of the Cypriot national team for two World Cup and Euro qualifying campaigns. He returned to coach AEK Larnaca again in November 2023, achieving third place, before being appointed coach of the Israeli national team in May.
Overall, the article suggests that the history of Israeli coaches in Cyprus offers mixed results for Itzhaki. Many coaches struggled with job security due to the Cypriot clubs' tendency to quickly dismiss underperforming managers. While many Israeli coaches sought opportunities in Cyprus during career downturns, Itzhaki is entering the role from a position of success, making his move a significant gamble.
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