As we prepare for the new season I would like to take a moment to reflect on the 2020/2021 season.
I am proud of our 24th Cup success. This was a victory of character and heart. Unselfish team effort, fearless spirit to fight until the end. Along with respect, these are qualities we value. These are the qualities of a winning club.
While this season provided its share of great and memorable moments, like the Cup, I cannot deny my disappointment with the final outcome in the league. Although we did our best to keep our championship hopes alive until the very end, unfortunately, we were not able to achieve the ultimate goal. Gaps were revealed that need to be addressed. I am determined that we do all we can to improve in these areas. To do this we will need to work even harder, especially now as preparations for next season are already underway. We are committed to putting in the time and effort to build on our foundation, starting from the Youth Academy all the way up to our First Team.
As we move forward and focus on the future, I would like to formally announce some key appointments in our Club.
Sharon Tammam has been our acting CEO for the last one and half years. She has done a great job to navigate the Club through this period and therefore I am pleased to confirm her role as CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.
Barak Itzhaki has seamlessly transferred from being a top professional football player to a key member of our Football Department. Barak will head our Football Department and lead our recruiting and scouting operations, be involved in transfer decisions as well as be responsible for the coordination of the Clubs football philosophy from the Youth Department to the First team.
Finally I am confirming Patrick van Leeuwen as Maccabi Tel Aviv FC first team coach for a period of 2 seasons. Patrick is no stranger to Maccabi having joined in 2016 to restructure and lead our Youth Academy. He took over as interim coach in December 2020 and has proven his commitment and loyalty to Maccabi, in addition to his leadership. Patrick is very much attuned to the Club’s objectives of nurturing young players who have come through our Youth Department and providing them a clear road map to become first team players.
I’m sure everyone associated with the Club will get behind Sharon, Barak and Patrick and I am sure you will all join me in wishing them much success.
Yalla Maccabi!
