Maccabi Haifa Coach Takes Responsibility Amidst Club Uncertainty
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Maccabi Haifa coach Barak Bakhar took responsibility after a 4-0 loss, stating the team needs change. Owner Yaakov Shahar has remained silent amidst the club's poor performance, three consecutive losses, and ongoing sale negotiations. The club faces uncertainty regarding its future direction and leadership.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Coach Barak Bakhar accepted responsibility for Maccabi Haifa's poor performance after a 4-0 loss.
- Owner Yaakov Shahar has remained silent as the club faces three consecutive losses.
- Maccabi Haifa has fallen six points behind the league leaders after ten rounds.
- The club has been on the market for three weeks with no serious negotiations.
- The coach's departure creates uncertainty for potential new hires and buyers.
Following a decisive 4-0 home loss to Maccabi Netanya on Saturday evening, Maccabi Haifa coach Barak Bakhar publicly accepted full responsibility for the team's performance, stating that a change was needed. The club's owner, Yaakov Shahar, however, has remained silent.
Adding to the unusual atmosphere, the club announced that no representatives would be available for interviews after the game. Shahar reportedly descended to the locker room, and shortly thereafter, Bakhar announced his departure through the broadcast media, making him the sole spokesperson for the club at that moment. This comes after a string of poor results, including three consecutive losses, 11 goals conceded in three matches, and the team falling six points behind the league leaders after ten rounds.
The club has reportedly been on the market for three weeks, with only two entities reportedly contacting the investment bank and no serious negotiations underway. This leaves Maccabi Haifa without a coach or a buyer at the beginning of November, and without any statement from its owner.
The article criticizes the club's management, noting that Shahar selected the professional director and previously rehired Bakhar after dismissing him in May 2025. It suggests a pattern of questionable professional decisions over recent years, with coaches being replaced while those who select them remain. The author argues that responsibility within Maccabi Haifa flows only downwards.
Shahar's current silence is contrasted with his past actions, such as speaking out when angered in May 2025 and writing a personal letter to fans in October when he intended to sell. The author posits that this silence has a price, creating uncertainty for potential new coaches and players, and devaluing the club for prospective buyers. The piece concludes by urging Shahar to clarify his intentions regarding the sale and the club's professional decision-making process before a new coach is appointed, arguing that any statement after the appointment would sound like justification.
