Maccabi Haifa Parts Ways with Dolev Haziza After Seven Years

After seven years with Maccabi Haifa, midfielder Dolev Haziza officially left the club and joined Maccabi Netanya on July 24, 2026. At a press conference, Haifa's sporting director Lior Rafaelov and coach Barak Bakhar addressed the decision to part ways with Haziza, who also posted a farewell message on his Instagram account.

Coach Bakhar expressed his fondness for Haziza, calling him one of his favorite players and acknowledging the difficulty of the separation, noting Haziza's youth and potential for further contributions. Rafaelov described the decision as one of the toughest he had made, explaining that the timing was challenging but necessary to ensure the club's foundation was right for the current period. He mentioned that after reaching agreements with other players, the club explained the situation to Haziza, who was understandably upset. Rafaelov said he remains friends with Haziza despite the tension and is at peace with the decision regarding him and another player, Abdullai Ska.

Haziza reflected on his time at Maccabi Haifa in his Instagram post, highlighting the journey that began in 2019 with the goal of restoring the club to prominence. He recalled winning the first championship in a decade, followed by two more league titles, the Toto Cup, and memorable European campaigns including participation in the Champions League. He specifically mentioned a historic assist against PSG as an unforgettable moment. Haziza expressed pride in his contributions and the club's achievements during his tenure.