Former Maccabi Tel Aviv Center Maik Zirbes Opens Up About Difficult Decade
Nearly ten years after his last interview with an Israeli journalist, German center Maik Zirbes has spoken candidly about his challenging experience with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Zirbes, who left the club during the 2016/17 season, described his time at Maccabi as a "dark chapter" in his career, citing poor team chemistry and contractual disputes that affected him deeply. He revealed that despite signing a lucrative contract worth $800,000 per season, he never fully benefited from it due to injuries and legal battles, including tax issues related to his mid-season transfer to Bayern Munich.
Zirbes recalled the summer of 2016 when Maccabi signed him alongside Quincy Miller from Red Star Belgrade, aiming to build a strong team. However, he said the team failed to gel, and the relationships among players were not as they should have been. He also mentioned ongoing legal disputes with Maccabi over owed payments and expressed frustration over misinformation that led to his transfer to Bayern Munich, which negatively impacted his career.
After leaving Maccabi, Zirbes struggled with injuries, including serious knee problems that required surgeries and limited his playing time. He continued his career with Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade but did not regain his previous form. In the 2022/23 season, he played for Benfica Lisbon in the Basketball Champions League before returning to his hometown club, the Trier Gladiators, where he helped the team return to the top German league after a long absence.
Now 36, Zirbes remains an active player with Trier and plans to continue for at least two more seasons. He is also focused on mentoring younger players and contributing to the club's growth, including the development of a new training facility and youth department. Zirbes expressed pride in helping elevate basketball in Trier, a city passionate about the sport but historically underserved at the highest levels.
He also commented on the recent signing of Daniel Theis by Maccabi Tel Aviv, praising Theis as an excellent player and a great fit for the team. Zirbes emphasized his ongoing connection to basketball and openness to future roles, possibly in coaching, as he transitions from his playing career.
