Former Maccabi Haifa CEO Criticizes Club's Decisions, Coach's Return
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Former Maccabi Haifa CEO Itamar Chizik criticized the club's decisions, stating coach Barak Bakhar erred in returning and Rafa'elov was unsuited for his role. Bakhar resigned after a 4-0 loss, with the club seeking a replacement. Chizik believes the team's issues date back two years and that only a few current players are worthy of the club. He also questioned the scouting and the number of foreign players.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Maccabi Haifa CEO Itamar Chizik criticized coach Barak Bakhar's return and Rafa'elov's professional manager role.
- Coach Barak Bakhar resigned after Maccabi Haifa's 4-0 loss to Maccabi Netanya.
- Chizik believes Maccabi Haifa's problems began two years ago and require a fundamental change.
- He stated only two or three current players are worthy of playing for Maccabi Haifa.
- Chizik questioned the club's scouting process and the number of foreign players.
Former Maccabi Haifa CEO Itamar Chizik has analyzed the club's ongoing crisis, stating that coach Barak Bakhar made a mistake in returning to the team and that Rafa'elov was not suited for the professional manager role. The club is currently seeking a replacement for Bakhar, who announced his departure after a 4-0 home loss to Maccabi Netanya, just ten weeks into the season.
Chizik believes the need for change at Maccabi Haifa was evident two years ago, suggesting a fundamental overhaul was necessary. He noted that in past years, the team had stronger homegrown players and better foreign signings, contrasting this with the current situation where he feels only two or three players are worthy of playing for the club. He also questioned the scouting process and the high number of foreign players.
Regarding the club's owner, Yaakov Shahar, Chizik speculated that his motivation might have waned due to age, but emphasized that many other factors have changed within the club. He recalled a time when extensive scouting was conducted before signing foreign players.
Chizik specifically addressed Rafa'elov, stating he personally advised him against taking the professional manager position, deeming him unprepared and too early in his career for such a role. He also reiterated his opposition to Bakhar's return, citing historical precedent against coaches returning for a third stint.
When asked about potential replacements, Chizik dismissed Roni Levy, believing he would not agree to return. He also expressed reservations about Omer Peretz, suggesting that 43 league games are insufficient experience for the Maccabi Haifa job, which he described as requiring more than just playing ability.
Chizik concluded by lamenting the current state of the team's defense and expressing doubt about their European prospects, stressing the need to build a team for the long term.
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