Bibras Natcho Says His Next Goal Is a Sporting Director Role

Former Israel captain Bibras Natcho, who retired from active football a few weeks ago at age 38, says he already has his eye on a future job inside the sport. In a wide-ranging interview with Russian media, he said he wants to take a break first, but eventually hopes to become a sporting director at a club. He is also taking a coaching course, which he described as another possible path, though he stressed that his main ambition is management, and that “everything is open” for now.

Natcho said retiring after 20 years at the highest level was a major decision, but one he felt ready to make. “I need to think about my family and spend time with my children,” he said, adding that although his health would have allowed him to keep playing, he preferred to stop while still in good condition.

He also spoke about the security situation in Israel, saying it affects his life because his mother, his sisters and his wife’s family all live there. He said he has always wanted peace everywhere and an end to political conflicts not only in Israel, but also in Russia, Ukraine and Gaza. “We are simple people who want to live in peace,” he said.

Reflecting on his career, Natcho noted that he played for Hapoel Tel Aviv, Rubin Kazan, CSKA Moscow and Partizan Belgrade. He said he left CSKA in 2018 for family reasons, because the long travel and frequent absences from home became difficult, and added, “It is not easy to be a foreigner in Russia.”