Shimon Hadari Returns to Save Ironi Tiberias Amid Club Crisis

Four years after helping build Ironi Tiberias and leading it to the National League, Shimon Hadari is returning to the club as the new owners' representative. The club has faced a turbulent summer, and Hadari aims to stabilize both its professional and managerial aspects to help it survive in the Premier League. Hadari, who has extensive coaching and management experience including roles in the Israeli Premier League and with UEFA, declined offers to be head coach or professional manager, choosing instead to serve as the owners' representative to bring calm to the club.

Hadari emphasized his close relationship with owner Aryeh Kalmanzon and former coach Shinu Zohar, whom he described as like a brother. He criticized the emotional turmoil surrounding the club, particularly regarding allegations linked to match-fixing and doping, which he attributes mainly to rival club M.S. Ashdod's attempts to regain Premier League status after relegation. Hadari stressed that the anti-doping agency has not accused Ironi Tiberias itself but only certain staff and players, and he disputes the Israeli Football Association's decision to penalize the club.

To improve the club's situation, Hadari has arranged cooperation with Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem to loan players not currently in their plans to Tiberias. He also coordinated between coaches Alon Ziv and Moti Krispil to ensure smooth collaboration. Hadari acknowledged the club's past management mistakes but pledged to change its image and help it accumulate enough points to remain in the Premier League despite potential point deductions.

Hadari expressed confidence that Tiberias will stay in the top division "only on the football field" and called on the club's players to be the "oxygen" for owner Kalmanzon, encouraging them to deliver good results to motivate further investment. He also highlighted the importance of clubs like Ironi Tiberias for Israeli football's periphery, despite their smaller fan bases compared to teams from central cities.

The first step in Hadari's plan includes a scheduled meeting with Shinu Zohar to reduce tensions and clarify misunderstandings. Hadari's return marks a critical effort to rescue Ironi Tiberias from one of the most severe crises in its history and secure its future in Israeli football's top tier.