Sakhnin Legend Khaled Khlaileh Laments Modern Football's Lack of Heart

Khaled Khlaileh, a revered figure in the history of Bnei Sakhnin football club, has broken a long silence to express his disappointment with the current state of the game. In an interview with "5 Ba'avir," Khlaileh, who was instrumental in Sakhnin's rise to the top league, noted a significant shift in player mentality, stating, "I don't see another Khaled Khlaileh. Players have become more delicate." He believes modern players lack the passion and "heart" he and his contemporaries displayed, making it difficult for him to enjoy watching matches today.

Khlaileh, who holds the club record for yellow cards with 155, recalled his aggressive style as a means to intimidate opponents and assert dominance. He contrasted this with today's more technical but, in his view, less intense play. He admitted to not enjoying many games, particularly those involving top teams like Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv in the past, where he felt the presence of "wow" players was more pronounced. While he has recently begun attending home games to support the team and encourage players, his engagement with football has been minimal for years.

Reflecting on his career, Khlaileh credited his former coach Eli Lachman for shaping his style and insisting on him despite initial doubts from others. He also revealed a near-transfer to Hapoel Be'er Sheva under Alona Barkat, which fell through due to transfer fee disagreements. Despite the missed opportunity, he expressed no regrets, emphasizing his deep connection to Sakhnin.

Khlaileh is now managing a National Kupat Holim (health fund) clinic in Sakhnin, where he also treats players for injuries, drawing parallels to his own past experiences with tackles. He continues to face animosity from some Beitar Jerusalem fans, who still send him abusive messages and curses related to past matches. He also expressed sadness that a tribute match for his former teammate Lior Assulin, a player he deeply admired, had not yet been organized by the club.

Looking ahead, Khlaileh hopes for Sakhnin's return to past glories, including the possibility of competing in European tournaments again, referencing the club's past encounter with Newcastle. He also humorously speculated on the impact of VAR on his own playing career, suggesting he would have received even more cards.