The Yellow & Blue Sports Director Jordi Cruyff presented Maccabi Tel Aviv’s brand new Head Coach and discussed the reasoning behind the choice of Lito Vidigal as the new boss and when the plan began to come into place:

“This was planned 5-6 weeks ago and it’s a clear signal that there was a plan in place. This was a tough decision, as Mitch and Jack are both here. We want him to have a smooth adaptation and we want to make sure that our results don’t suffer.”

The timing of bringing Vidigal:

“He was employed by a club and it took time. We also wanted to make sure that the team was back on track and we felt that it was a good moment to do it. There are things to fight for and it was the right time to make the move.”

First meeting:

“We met in Portugal 4-5 weeks ago and we knew he was the right man for the job. But he had important games and we had important matches including Haifa and Beer Sheva. We looked at the right time to make the move. He was the right fit and we didn’t want to just bring any coach just for the sake of bringing in someone. We wanted to bring the right person.”

On Vidigal’s qualities as a coach:

“I think he’s shown that with small teams with small budgets that he’s been successful. He is tough, demanding and demands discipline. There is no secret that Spain and Portugal are types of countries that can adapt well to the Israeli style of football.”

Hungry to work:

“We went for a profile of someone who is hungry to work. We have brought coaches who were not at a high stage and we looked for coaches that wanted to launch their careers and take a step up. If you look at Oscar and Pako they took steps up. The same is true with Paulo Sousa. We are a good platform for a coach that wants to work and compete. We felt that Lito was our preferred choice and the right choice for Maccabi.”

Negotiating his release:

“I have no problem as long as the communication is open and honest which it was with his club and it was a clean move. Peter Bosz was a good choice and he was undefeated in the league and is now at Ajax. When we sign someone we are always open with the club we are working with.”

Incoming staff:

“He brought his assistants to work together for the common goal of succeeding. But they will need the existing staff to help the club succeed. There is a group of people who will work together with a group that is already here.”

Why step down as coach with a high success rate:

“I didn’t have the success rate, it was the players and the club, I had a very small part. The situation is now good for us as we won the first quarterfinal Cup game and we are only five points from Beer Sheva. Right now every game is a final.”

Attending training sessions:

“Over the last couple of weeks I led the training but I won’t do that now. I’ll be around to advise and work together to see how to play each opponent.”

On the bench Saturday night:

“That’s not something we discussed. Initially that is not in the plan. He’s the boss and I’m here to assist in any way possible.”

Angolan Lito Vidigal was formerly presented as the new Yellow & Blue Head Coach at Kiryat Shalom on Tuesday morning. He spoke about the importance of the fans, his expectations and what he can add to Maccabi:

“I’m happy to be here. I tried to see some games and I’m here to be a hard working coach and win the next game. We have to keep fighting for the next game.”

Coming to a big club:

“I came because Maccabi is a big club in Israel and I want to fight to win the next game. Last night I was at the match and believe me I’m very glad to be here. Our players fought a lot and they played very hard in a tough game. The fans pushed them and this is another reason why I’m here because of the fans who will help us along the way.”

Making the team stronger:

“I have here to help improve the club and not to change it. We are in a good position but we are five points behind Beer Sheva. I am here to put my mentality and work ethic into the job but not to change the way we play, but to make the team stronger.”

What he wants from the players:

“I have to check the players and their qualities. But we have to fight for each game and this is what we want from the players. Everybody and every player is important here and if we play like a team and fight like a team we will succeed.”

Adding to the Maccabi staff and helping the team:

“Maccabi has very good professionals, but I will bring an assistant to help me work together with the team and at the end we will have something to say in helping the team. We have coaches with a lot of experience and we want to bring something good. We came here to work as a team.”

Spoke to former Maccabi coach Paulo Sousa:

“I spoke a bit with Paulo and we are friends. Paulo did a great job here but he’s very busy right now and he’s coaching. When we have more time we speak about other things.”

Giving input in bringing players during the transfer window:

“I just arrived and Maccabi is a big club. Some decisions are done by Jordi and the ownership. I’m here to be one more person to work in the system.”

Barak Itzhaki handed Maccabi Tel Aviv 3 very valuable points in the title race. The striker found the back of the goal in the 57th minute for the winner at the Moshava Stadium. “We made it over a tough hurdle, this was a very difficult team, strong and physical. We came prepared for this match and we knew that we had to control the midfield and that’s what we did. I believe we deserved to win.”

The title fight with Beer Sheva:
“We really have to just focus just on ourselves. When we looked at how they were doing, the point situation was not in our favor. We have two more meetings with them in the Championship Playoffs and we have a very long way to go in the league. Right now our sole focus is on Saturday night’s match against Kiryat Shemona.”

New coach:
“We are getting instructions already and I’m sure that Jordi will continue to be very involved. We all see how important he is to the system that has been built here and I’m sure he brought us a good coach. There’s no question that the results we had under him were good but he’ll stay with us. In my opinion it’s not that important as to who is on the sidelines as we have to continue the good run we had under Jordi and concentrate on our play on the pitch.”

Scoring the winner in front of Mitch Goldhar:
“He watches all of the games and follows everything. There’s no question that when he is here it helps us a lot, but we always feel his support. What he is doing here at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israeli football and sports as a whole is really a blessing.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv continued on the way with their second win in a row over Maccabi Petach Tikva in less than a week. Barak Itzhaki scored the 57th minute winner to give the Yellow & Blue the hard earned 3-points and draw Maccabi to within 5-points of table leaders Hapoel Beer Sheva.

Sports Director Jordi Cruyffaddressed the media following the win:

“This was a game we wanted to win and it was one that we had to fight hard for the win, we had a bit of luck but we did what we needed to do. We used all of the tools we had at our disposal. On Saturday, we will play before Beer Sheva and I hope that we will put some pressure on them.”

The fans:
“I want to thank the fans for their amazing support. I felt it and so did the players, we appreciate the support. The character is there and I’m happy to hand over the team in what is a good situation. Of course, I’ll be there to help the new coach and I think that we will all benefit from this.”

On the decision to name a new coach:
“This was the decision we made and Maccabi needs a full time coach. I will help out as much as possible but I know that everyone’s very motivated as well as the fans. We have a lot to battle for this season and this is a good time to make this move.”

Mitch Goldhar coming to Israel:
“We had a delightful dinner together. My contract? I have a bit of a strange contract with no date really on it. I’ll continue on for as long as everyone is content. I didn’t think it would be for this long but I really enjoy being here and there are plenty of challenges that await. I have a very good relationship with the owner.”

Tal Ben Haim, the Yellow & Blue’s central defender discussed the club’s Matchday 22 Ligat Ha’Al contest against Maccabi Petach Tikva, tonight at the Moshava Stadium at 21:00. Number 26 talked about the match itself and his expectations:

“It’s going to a tough match. The league is the league and the Cup is the Cup. It’s a totally different story than the Cup and I’m sure the Starting XI’s will be different. We have some injured players that will be returning to the squad as will they. But we really want to continue our good run and play. They’re a good opponent and we’re expecting a tough match.”

Reaching goals:

“Every match has its own importance. The Beer Sheva game is now history and we’ve moved on. We had a decent Cup match and we want to continue to play well against Maccabi Petach Tikva. We know that it will be a hard match but we are confident and believe in our ability. We want to reach the goals we set for ourselves.”

Keeping up the good play:

“They’re a very good side and they’ll come to do battle. They have some excellent players but we prefer to look at ourselves and see how we can continue to improve and play even better. We also want to make sure that we keep up the good things that we have done over the past little while.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Kiryat Shemona on Matchday 22 of the Ligat Ha’Al, this coming Saturday evening, February 18th, 20:30 at the Netanya Stadium. Tickets are now on sale, so make sure to get your tickets and come cheer on the Yellow & Blue. Maccabi fans may purchase tickets to the following sections: Silver, E+, Lower & Upper West. Please note that tickets are also available in sections 203-205 which are located in the middle of the pitch.

Tickets are on sale via the Leaan Ticket Agency located at 101 Dizengoff Street, on their Website and by phone *8780

Tickets may be printed at home

Discounted tickets (Youth/Soldier/Women) are available by phone or at the Leaan Ticket Agency Office with ID

Ticket Prices

Silver Section
Leaan Ticket Agency Office – 400 NIS
Telephone/Internet – 405 NIS

E+
Leaan Ticket Agency Office – 200 NIS
Telephone/Internet – 205 NIS

Upper & Lower West Stands Sections
Leaan Ticket Agency Office – 100 NIS
Telephone/Internet – 105 NIS
Youth/Soldier/Women – 50 NIS (not available via the website)

Ticket Collection

Tickets may be collected at the Leaan Ticket Office located at 101 Dizengoff Street between Sunday-Thursday 09:00-19:00, Friday 09:00-13:30.

Tickets may be collected on Matchday at the Stadium ticket windows beginning 3 hours prior to the match until 45 minutes after the start of the match.