Dekel Keinan Begins Coaching Career in US, Linked to Maccabi Haifa
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Former Israeli soccer player Dekel Keinan has started his coaching career as the interim coach for Orange County SC in the US second division. The 41-year-old, who also played-coached for LA Force, has been an assistant at Orange County for three years. Keinan has been linked to coaching roles at Maccabi Haifa but has preferred to stay in the US. His future at Orange County is uncertain after a recent losing streak.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dekel Keinan is now the interim coach for Orange County SC in the US second division.
- Keinan previously served as a player-coach for LA Force and assistant at Orange County.
- He has been linked to coaching positions at Maccabi Haifa but has stayed in the US.
- Keinan expressed his commitment to transitioning from playing to coaching.
- His future with Orange County is uncertain after a recent four-game losing streak.
Former Israeli international Dekel Keinan, the last Israeli player to move directly from the Israeli Premier League to the English Premier League, has begun his coaching career in the United States. The 41-year-old former defender, who played for Maccabi Haifa and spent recent years in the US, is currently the interim coach of Orange County SC in the second division of American soccer. Keinan previously served as a player-coach for the LA Force and has been an assistant coach at Orange County for three years, working with various international coaches.
Keinan recently expressed his transition to coaching, stating, "Being a footballer is the best job in the world. Being a coach is probably the second-best job in the world. I'm making this transition." During his time as a player-coach, he helped build a team praised for its strong locker room culture, even scoring a winning goal himself. He has been noted for giving young players opportunities, such as keeping 17-year-old defender Tyson Aspi in the starting lineup despite a previous heavy loss.
He was appointed interim coach at Orange County in early September, winning his first match before losing the subsequent four. His future with the club is uncertain, as his interim role may not lead to a permanent position. Despite his rich playing career, his limited coaching experience in the US second division might not be enough for a head coaching role at a high-pressure club.
Keinan has been repeatedly linked with coaching positions at Maccabi Haifa, even during Masaï Dago's tenure. However, he has previously opted to remain in the US despite offers. While a return to Israeli football mid-season seems unlikely, his situation in the US could influence his next steps. Keinan also coached Orange County's academy, which has successfully placed players in top leagues like MLS, Reims, Frankfurt, and Feyenoord.
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