Maccabi Netanya Nearly Signed Ben Mansford for Record Sum
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Maccabi Netanya was close to signing former Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO Ben Mansford as general manager for a record sum of 500,000 euros per season. The deal, intended for three years, collapsed at the last minute when Mansford received an offer from England. Owner Ross Kassin confirmed the report and is now seeking an external candidate to replace the departing Gil Lev.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Netanya nearly signed Ben Mansford as general manager for a record 500,000 euros per season.
- The deal for Ben Mansford to join Maccabi Netanya fell apart 24 hours before signing.
- Mansford cited a new offer from England as the reason for backing out of the Israeli club deal.
- Maccabi Netanya owner Ross Kassin confirmed the report and is seeking a new general manager.
- The club is looking for an external candidate with football management experience.
Maccabi Netanya was on the verge of appointing former Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO Ben Mansford as its new general manager, in a deal reportedly worth a record half a million euros per season for an Israeli football executive. The agreement, which was to be for three seasons, fell apart just 24 hours before it was scheduled to be signed.
Mansford, who had not ruled out staying in the Israeli Premier League after leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv, was reportedly very close to joining Maccabi Netanya. The negotiations were conducted discreetly, with few people around Maccabi Netanya owner Ross Kassin aware of the discussions. Initial contact was made through lawyers representing Kassin and Mansford.
Kassin, who was in the process of purchasing the club from Eyal Segal, negotiated with the office of Moran Mairi, the deputy chairman of the Football Association and legal advisor to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Kassin and Max de Giglio, involved in the professional affairs of the "Aliyah" group, spoke with Mansford multiple times.
However, the deal collapsed when Mansford informed Kassin that he had received an offer from England and requested permission to pursue it. Kassin understood the deal was off at that moment. The club owner was reportedly prepared to invest significantly to bring Mansford to the team, as evidenced by the unprecedented financial offer made.
Maccabi Netanya has confirmed the report. Kassin is now continuing his search for a replacement for Gil Lev, who requested to end his tenure as general manager. The club's owner is looking to hire an external candidate with experience managing a football club, as any Israeli candidates proposed were not considered suitable.
Mentioned
