The Maccabi Tel Aviv “Avi Cohen” Youth Academy has a number of new staff people for the upcoming season with the goal of continuing to improve the development of the young players.
Eran Sassi – Head Coach Under-16
Sassi began his career with Ironi Bat Yam and spent 7 years as the youth coach, Under-19 coach and assistant coach of the first team in the Leumit League. He also worked with the youth sides at Ironi Modiin, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa. Sassi spoke about his new role with the Yellow & Blue: “I was very impressed as to how organized the Youth Academy is and the ability to advance within the club. My goals are to learn and to continue to evolve on a personal level as I help the Academy reach their goals.”
Galil Ben Shenan – Goalkeeper Coach Under-17
The new goalkeeper coach joined the Youth Academy and also played as a keeper with a number of clubs including Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Beer Sheva and Ashkelon. After a serious injury three seasons ago, Galil began his new career as a coach and first plied his trade with Ashkelon’s First Team. “I’ve heard so much about Maccabi’s Youth Academy and it’s methodology. When I arrived here I understood that I had never experienced such a level of professionalism. It’s great to work at a place like this with the goal of helping develop a new generation of keepers.”
Tzalil Shoshan – Fitness trainer Under-17
Tzalil returned from Spain and Portugal a year ago where he worked towards a secondary degree in sports science. Over the course of his career, Shoshan worked at the Wingate Institute for excellence with the women’s youth National Basketball Teams while also lecturing and leading other courses. In addition to his work at Maccabi he will be at Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle’s First Team where there are plenty of Yellow & Blue Academy players. “Arriving at Maccabi is a very significant step in my career and I’ll be at the top Academy in the country with the youngsters with the most potential as well as an incredible staff. My goals are to help the Academy reach the highest of heights and to work with the players and turn them into better athletes.”
Tal Volik – Fitness Trainer Under-16
After completing his military service, Tal lived in Munich, Germany where he also coached youth clubs. Last season he worked at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football School and is currently a student at the Wingate Institute as he continues to develop his own skills on the fitness realm. “Last season I volunteered in the fitness department at the Academy in order to learn from the best of the best. The fitness department is part of the sports science department at the Academy with the best foundation in the country. The players at the Academy receive the best tools in order to help turn them into better athletes which will result in them becoming even better footballers. My goal is to learn and continue to gain experience and also help develop youth players as that is my passion.”
Tamir Tubol – Head Coach Under-11
Tamir worked for five years at the Hapoel Tel Aviv Youth Department in various roles including as a Head Coach, assistant coach as well as the football school this past season. “I’m very happy to join the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy which is no doubt the best in the nation. My goal is to continue to learn in each and every training session from the entire staff and to improve and develop as a coach. Of course, I want to also help the youngsters advance and improve on a daily basis.”
Idan Bitton – Head Coach Under-8
Bitton developed as a footballer at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department and played on various teams as well as the First Team for a season when they played in the Champions League (2004/05). Bitton then went on to play for Hakoach Ramat Gan, Ramat Hasharon and Hapoel Ashkelon. “I had just completed my studies at Wingate and then I called Maccabi up immediately just like a child would call a parent after a long vacation. I had an interview a couple of months ago with the Youth Department Manager Guy Zuckerman and from there as the say the rest was history. My expectations are to learn as much as possible from the professional staff and to give over my knowledge to help develop the youngsters with the proper values, honor and a desire for excellence.”
