Maccabi Haifa Adjusts Youth Integration Strategy Ahead of New Season
Maccabi Haifa's anticipated youth revolution, heralded at the end of last season, has taken a more measured turn as the new season approaches. Coach Barak Bachar had previously given significant playing time to several youth players such as Navot Ratner, Yinon Feingezicht, Noam Steifman, Elad Amir, Adam Grimberg, and Niv Gabai, providing a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season. Expectations were high that these homegrown talents would become central to the team's future.
However, about six weeks after preseason training camp and just before the league's start, the club's approach has shifted. Several young players who were loaned out, including Itay Ehud, Amit Arzi, Yarin Levi, Iyad Khalili, and Liam Kharmesh, have had varied fortunes. While Kharmesh was released, Levi signed a renewed contract and is expected to be a key figure despite tensions with fans. Khalili is also anticipated to play a significant role in the rotation. Others like Ehud are set for further loans, and Arzi, despite impressing in training, is recovering from injury.
Among those promoted directly from the youth ranks, Daniel Darzi was loaned out after initial plans to integrate him, while Feingezicht and Amir face long-term injuries that will sideline them for most of the season. Niv Gabai is on loan, and Lian Luski remains with the youth team. Noam Steifman is expected to be a starting defender, though the club is considering retaining Pedro, which could affect Steifman and Grimberg's roles. Grimberg, once seen as a leading striker, will receive significant minutes but not as the primary forward.
Navot Ratner, once called "the landlord" by Bachar, has seen his status decline sharply, playing only once in the first four games. Despite rumors of dissatisfaction, Bachar recently reassured him, though Ratner must now compete with players like Eitan Azoulay, Levi, Ali Muhammad, and Cedric Don for playing time.
Club sources emphasize the need to carefully develop young players, acknowledging their ups and downs. While the fans and club aim for a championship, they recognize that relying heavily on youth players alone is unrealistic. The club remains confident in its promising future generation and views this season as a foundational step for these players to eventually lead Maccabi Haifa in the coming years.
