Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Ran Kozuch Opens Up Ahead of Champions League Playoff

Ran Kozuch, head coach of Hapoel Be'er Sheva, shared an in-depth interview ahead of the club's Champions League playoff first leg against Azerbaijan's Sabah FC. Kozuch reflected on his journey from nearly leaving football to reaching the pinnacle of Israeli soccer, having won the league title last year. He expressed excitement and focus ahead of the upcoming match, emphasizing the hard work invested in recent weeks.

Kozuch recounted how his passion for football, described as a "big bug," brought him back to the sport after a period away. Initially, he aimed only to assist Masa'i Dago at Hapoel Petah Tikva but quickly realized his ambition to become a head coach. He credited working with many skilled coaches during his assistant years, highlighting a special connection with Almog Cohen, from whom he continues to learn.

Discussing his coaching philosophy, Kozuch stressed the importance of constant development and dedication, stating that success requires hard work and learning from both good and bad experiences. He acknowledged the rising quality of young Israeli coaches and the improved professionalism surrounding the sport in Israel.

Addressing a previous controversial comment about Real Madrid, Kozuch clarified that the club is one of his favorites in Europe and that facing them would be an incredible experience. Looking ahead to the playoff, he said the outcome will only be clear at the end of the matches, noting the need to overcome critical moments and maintain focus throughout.

Kozuch remains committed to refining his team's approach rather than abandoning their current style, aiming to build on what has brought them success so far. He hopes to lead Hapoel Be'er Sheva to the next stage of the Champions League and achieve a strong result against Sabah FC.