Slobodan Drapić Explains Why Maccabi Haifa Move Fell Through This Summer

Slobodan Drapić, a prominent coach in the Israeli Premier League, recently opened up about his career and future prospects in an interview on Sport 5. After being the first coach to leave his position last season with Bnei Reineh, Drapić is currently without a team. He reflected on the challenges of waiting for the right opportunity and shared that his decision to join Hapoel Netanya, despite starting with a nine-point deficit, was one of his best moves. He also admitted that personal and emotional factors influenced his readiness to take on the challenge at Bnei Reineh.

Regarding his future, Drapić emphasized his belief that he is suited for coaching in the Premier League rather than lower divisions, and he is considering roles with national teams given his age of 61. He expressed confidence in his experience and ability to contribute at a high level, citing his success with Beitar Jerusalem, which he led to a third-place finish.

Drapić revealed details about his negotiations with Maccabi Haifa and Ashdod during the summer. He received a call from Lior Refaelov, who wanted to meet and discuss a coaching role at Haifa. Drapić met with Haifa’s coach Barak Bakhar, but the discussions did not lead to an agreement, partly due to uncertainty over the exact role, possibly as an assistant coach. Respecting both parties, Drapić said they parted ways amicably. He also mentioned that he asked Ashdod to wait before finalizing any deal, as he wanted to hear Haifa’s offer first.

On other topics, Drapić praised young coach Shay Barda as a talented rising star in Israeli football. He also addressed past interactions with Avi Luzon, stating he apologized for any misunderstandings and that Luzon was receptive. Drapić concluded by affirming that his coaching abilities remain intact and he is ready for new challenges in the Premier League.