Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach addressed the media at the prematch press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s match against Maccabi Netanya at the Netanya Stadium, 20:30:
“We’re playing against an opponent that beat us good last time and always creates difficulties. They are fighting like crazy for the last European spot. Last week we could have taken a big step but we still have to continue to battle.”
Incident with Eitan Tibi:
“I’m not proud and not happy about the images showed. You know me for all these years that I am calm. We all make mistakes, coaches and players. There were two moments that I crossed the line, last year when Barak threw the shirt and last match. It’s an image that doesn’t favor anyone but I won’t tolerate certain things. Eitan has been a loyal soldier all these years and he has a good heart. We closed it inside the club and between both of us it’s over and he will be ready.”
More on Tibi:
“I decided to follow my principles over the last six years and the most important thing is the team. It wasn’t a normal substitution as there was an injury and teammates have to help their colleagues and not put anything in the middle. He’s a good soldier, good guy, good heart. It was one small incident and that is it.”
The club’s focus over the next number of matches:
“We have not secured a European spot and that is where our focus lies for the remaining matches.”
Playing Netanya:
“If Netanya scores the first goal you have to open up and it becomes dangerous. We never play defensively and we always go to win and it’s important to score the first goal and then be calm. We had a good second half last match but then the last five minutes happened.”
About Sheran Yeini:
“The ones who play are the ones who decide what happens but the Captain has different abilities both on and off the field. We have missed some calmness when we should have had some control, both the coaching staff and the players, we win together and play together.”
Players fighting for their future:
“Failures bring always big changes and where we are now to where we were a few months ago, we failed and we didn’t do our job in the playoffs. I think the players have to fight for their future at the club. They may act in a different way but they want to succeed.”
About Alex Ferguson’s condition and emergency surgery:
“I was shocked when I read the news and I hope that he has a good and speedy recovery. I worked four years with him. We had good days and I learned a lot from him and he was one step ahead of any other coach. He was always a good human and looked to integrate all the players and make sure they were ok and adapted to their lives in a different country. I wish him well.”
The hiring of a new coach at Maccabi:
“I will not make any recommendations and whoever comes here needs to have their own ideas and freshness just like I did. Any person must have their own opinion. I’m sure the new coach will look at the last ten games and see how the players were and how they fought and worked until the last moment.”
