Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Sports Director spoke about the Yellow & Blue’s 4:1 win against Netanya Stadium co-tenants Hapoel Raanana on Matchday 17. Cruyff began by discussing if he would continue as coach:
“I don’t think that it’s appropriate and suits my principles and values. I always advise that it’s bad karma to take the place of a coach and I’m not comfortable with it.”
Passion:
“The players passion and aggressiveness doesn’t come from a coach but from inside of themselves. I think we looked in the mirror and we saw what we had done wrong and what the reality is. The first thing is to get the belief and confidence back and get the fans back in our side. When the supporters are behind the team the situation is always better. It was time for all of us to step up.”
Potential new head coach:
“We drafted a short list and different options. We look at how the team looks now and in January as well as the summer. We will look at who is most appropriate including Israelis and foreigners. The owner will have to decide once we get down to a list of three and I don’t have any problem with that.”
Being both the Sports Director and Head Coach:
“I told the players that I’m in a difficult situation when I make a lineup as a sports director. My message was that each game needs a different strategy which means different players. Monday we will need different players as it’s a Derby and it’s about a lot of emotion and passion. For that game we will look for players with personality.”
Changes:
“There will be some changes and we will have more changes since there will be a new coach and we will fill the 6th foreigner position which is still owner.”
Hapoel’s difficulties:
“Football is about emotions, passion and decisions. Hapoel has a fan base that always supports their club and they should be happy about that. We also have a great fan base. I have no smile about the difficulties that others are in. You don’t wish bad karma on someone because it may come back to you.”
About Yossi Benayoun:
“He’s given us a lot and it’s very motivating to see a teammate with his status and what he does when he plays like a nineteen year old. He’s been very motivational for the club. He will always be a leader for whatever club he plays for and I can see from his teammates that he is very respected.”
Vidar Kjartansson’s status:
“He’s a player we believe in and some players need an adaptation period and other players have to understand that. We didn’t know how to feed Orlando Sa as striker and he’s at the top of the goal scoring list in Belgium. Vidar has always scored goals wherever he has played and has scored about ten goals over all competitions.”
