After Retiring, Ofir Mizrahi Takes Over Youth Football Role at Hometown Club

At age 32, Ofir Mizrahi announced his retirement from playing about a month ago, but he is staying in football. On Sunday, Ironi Nesher said the former Maccabi Haifa midfielder has been appointed sporting director of the club’s youth department.

The club described Mizrahi as “a true homegrown member,” noting that he rose through Ironi Nesher’s youth system, took his first steps on the pitches in Nesher, and later ended his playing career there after a long professional run. In the club’s statement, it said that over the past three years Mizrahi served as a coach in the youth department and led a significant professional process focused on developing young players.

Ironi Nesher said that during that period, players from the club moved on to leading clubs in Israel and the department improved substantially. The club also highlighted that Mizrahi holds a UEFA A coaching license and brings extensive experience, deep familiarity with the club, love for the game, and a desire to push the youth department forward.

Mizrahi said he was excited and proud to take responsibility for the youth department at the place where he grew up “as a player and as a person.” He called it “an emotional closing of a circle and the beginning of a new chapter,” adding that his goal is to build a professional, values-based and advanced department, develop players and coaches, and create a real pathway for children from the city and surrounding area.