Maccabi Netanya Nearly Hired Ben Mansford as CEO for Record Sum

Maccabi Netanya was on the verge of appointing Ben Mansford as its CEO, replacing Gil Lev, according to Channel Sport. The negotiations had progressed significantly, with an offer on the table for a three-season contract worth an unprecedented half a million euros per season for the club, a sum comparable to his earnings at Maccabi Tel Aviv. Mansford, who had not ruled out staying in the Israeli Premier League after leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv, was reportedly very close to joining the "Diamonds." The deal was being negotiated discreetly, with few people around owner Ross Kaston aware of the discussions. Initial talks began through the lawyers of Kaston and Mansford. Kaston, who was in the process of purchasing the club from Eyal Segal, negotiated with the office of Moran Meiri, the Vice Chairman of the Football Association and legal advisor to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Kaston and Max de Giglio, involved in professional matters for the "Aliyah" group, spoke with Mansford multiple times.

However, just 24 hours before the scheduled signing, Mansford informed Kaston that he had received an offer from England and requested permission to pursue it, signaling the deal's collapse. Kaston reportedly recognized the deal was off at that moment. The club's owner was prepared to invest a record sum for a managerial position in Israeli football, demonstrating his strong desire to bring Mansford to the club. Kaston is now continuing his search for a replacement for Lev, who wished to step down. The club owner is reportedly looking for an external CEO with experience managing a football club, as Israeli candidates were not considered suitable. Maccabi Netanya confirmed the report.