Full coverage· Sports· Updated 20:18

Maccabi Haifa Coach Barak Bachar Resigns Live on Air After Heavy Loss

Maccabi Haifa head coach Barak Bakhar resigned live on television on Saturday evening, November 7, 2026, following a devastating 4-0 home defeat to Maccabi Netanya. The loss, which took place in front of 27,129 spectators at Sammy Ofer Stadium, marked the team's third consecutive league defeat.

8 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 19:50

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Maccabi Haifa Coach Barak Bachar Resigns Live on Air After Heavy Loss — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Maccabi Haifa head coach Barak Bakhar resigned live on television on Saturday, November 7, 2026, following a 4-0 home loss to Maccabi Netanya.
02The devastating defeat at Sammy Ofer Stadium was witnessed by 27,129 fans and marked Maccabi Haifa's third consecutive league loss.
03Bakhar informed club owner Yaakov Shahar of his decision, stating that the team required a change and "new blood" to move forward.
04During his highly successful tenure with the club, Bakhar led Maccabi Haifa to three league championships and the Champions League group stage.
05Maccabi Haifa has conceded 20 goals this season and sits six points behind league leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv.
06The club has not yet announced a replacement for Bakhar, and the future of professional manager Lior Refaelov remains undecided.
07Maccabi Haifa is expected to hold consultations during the upcoming international break before their next match against Bnei Sakhnin.

Visibly emotional and in tears, Bakhar announced his decision immediately after the match, stating that he had informed club owner Yaakov Shahar. Bakhar took full responsibility for the team's struggles, acknowledging that the squad required "new blood" and a change in direction. During the match, fans in the stadium had called for his dismissal.

Bakhar's departure ends a highly successful tenure with Maccabi Haifa, during which he secured three league championships and guided the team to the Champions League group stage. This season, however, the team has struggled, conceding 20 goals and falling six points behind league leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The club has not yet named a successor to Bakhar, and the future of professional manager Lior Refaelov remains undecided. Maccabi Haifa is expected to hold consultations during the upcoming international break before returning to face Bnei Sakhnin.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 7 newsrooms. Updated 20:11