Maccabi Tel Aviv opened training camp for the upcoming 2015/16 under the direction of new Head Coach Serbian Slavisa Jokanovic and his staff. This is how it looks from the lens of the camera

Jordi Cruyff, Maccabi Tel Aviv Technical Director spoke to media following the introduction of new Head Coach Slavisa Jokanovic

Jordi Cruyff fielded various questions from the local media:

What type of coach can we expect Slavisa Jokanovic to be?

"I think it's always difficult to know beforehand what type of coach we can expect here at Maccabi. We have had some very good results over the past years since I've been with the club and under a number of different coaches.  The first year where we didn't qualify for Europe gave me and the club a lot of time to learn about the players and work with them to improve. That year we won the league title for the first time in a long time and we have just improved from there. I'm extremely pleased and proud to see that we have had good coaches over the years.

 If you analyze the coaches from over the last few years at Maccabi, they are all of similar profiles and when I saw that things weren't working out for Slavisa at Watford I knew that this was the man we had to try to get. This was also the quickest we have named a coach since I have been here.

Where do you see Maccabi going over the next few season?

"Over the last few years we have been on the rise and we won the domestic title the first year, played attractively in Europe the second and the third year we won all the domestic titles, The Treble. I don't think we need to have a revolution with the squad since we have a team that just had one of the greatest years in the club's history. The owner, Mitch Goldhar wants to build step by step with proper organization and with proper control.

We have only spent a total of 600k Euro in the transfer market and we haven't taken risks or gambles. We try to have players who are motivated and we have to accept that we are in Israel and not the English Premier League. The coaches that come to Maccabi know that we have a good squad and by bringing in a new staff also creates a mini-revolution and change on a smaller level."

What is your philosophy about bringing in foreign players to Maccabi?

"Our philosophy has always been not to sign foreigners but to bring in the best Israeli talent. We have seen that more than 60-70% of foreigners don't stay longer than a year in Israel and we don't believe in this area as a major investment since many won't stay with the club for the long term. If 80% of players have to be domestic players then that's where we must invest. We have a good formula that has worked so far and we will continue on this path. Sometimes we make mistakes and I have as well, but the result so far speak for themselves."

What is the status of Ben Reichert?

"Ben Reichert is here to stay and he is coming back to the club. There may be messages out in the media about his future, but I have to protect the best interests of Maccabi and we want the best players. He is one of the best young players in the country. I also have so much respect for him as a man since we asked him at the last minute to go on loan in the January transfer window and he agreed to do so. Ben has a tremendous amount of passion and we want to get that to be controlled passion.  As part of the exchange we received Gili Vermouth though there were difficulties since he had been injured. We expect a lot from him this coming year.

What is the status of Barak Badash?

We will know later as to his future.

Can new Head Coach Slavisa Jokanovic get an extra 10% out of the players that is needed?

"Slavisa speaks many languages and can communicate well with the players as he was also once a top player himself. I have been following him for quite a while and when the opportunity came to sign him, we agreed with Mitch and Martin that Slavisa was the right choice but we will only know at the end of the season for sure what will happen. We thought about looking locally for an Israeli coach, but for the time being we went for a foreign staff but perhaps one day we will go for an Israeli staff."

Is Maccabi's number one objective playing in the group stages of the Champions League?

"The number one objective for Maccabi is to win the domestic league and from there we can work towards the Champions League. Getting to the group stages is all about the draw and last year we had a very good draw, however this year we will not be seeded in the third round and it will make it harder to accomplish. I must be adamant and clear that even if we don't make the group stages of the Champions League the season will not be a failure. The second objective is playing in a European competition but of course the Champions League is an objective and dream but it's not an obligation."

 

 

 After Maccabi CEO Martin Bain introduced new coach Slavisa Jokanovic, he spoke to the media about his goals managing the Yellow-and-Blue.

 Why did you come to coach Maccabi and not stay in England?

 "My past is my past, it's not that important now. Maccabi was very serious about putting me in this position and I am happy to be in this situation. I have come to a winning team and we have a very important summer coming up and season too. We will push very hard and reach our targets in Europe.

 You must remember that I am not from England but I am Serbian and I have worked at many places in the world. Maccabi is a very famous European club and we will continue to improve. This was my decision to be here and I am now with people who understand football. I am happy to be at Maccabi."

 What do you know about Maccabi?

 I watched many Maccabi games from last season and I know the players from that, but this is only the start and there is a process in front of us. I expect that there will be professionalism here and the opportunity to work with ambitious people and to improve on what was won last season. I expect that our supporters will be proud of how we play and this responsibility is a big one. I respect the club and I will represent this club, country and the supporters, they will be proud of our work."

 What are your thoughts on Maccabi making the Champions League?

 "The big dream for the supporters and for us is very clear but making the Champions League is not an easy job. We will have to take steps and over the last three years Maccabi has had some very good campaigns and we will try to reach this target. This is our dream and our desire."

 Where can Maccabi improve?

 Maccabi must improve everything. It's very clear. There is a winning mentality here and we have a very fast team, but we will need more control and balance. This will be the target for the club to make them more competitive, compact and more balanced."

 As a Serbian how do you feel coaching here in Israel?

 "I am full of self confidence, the whole team can play better with me. If I don't have confidence in myself who will have it for me? There have been many Serbian coaches and players that have been in Israel and there have been many around the world. We have a responsibility to work around the world and I have had the opportunity to play in many countries and this is my 6th coaching position for six different clubs in 6 different countries."A

Striker Barak Itzhaki will continue to wear the Yellow-and-Blue of Maccabi Tel Aviv, coming to terms for the next two seasons

Barak Itzhaki who came to terms with the club for an additional two-years was at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Team Store at Cinema City in Rishon Le'Zion where he signed autographs for fans who purchased the brand new 2015/16 jersey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TomOSut2Udk

Do you want to wear the new Maccabi jersey with #10 on the back? Any fan who purchases the new Maccabi jersey within the next 24 hours can get Itzhaki's name and number on the back for FREE! This special is available when purchasing the jersey on the online store, the Team Store at Cinema City in Rishon Le'Zion and the Team Store at 147 Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv.

To buy Itzhaki's jersey, click here

Itzhaki signed many autographs and said: "There was no doubt in my mind that I would continue at Maccabi. My own expectations are very high. I'm truly flattered that the club has those same expectations and I know that I will do my best to give the fans and the club some great moments. It won't be easy, but we have a terrific team so far and there will be more players who will want to be in the starting lineup but competition is good for everyone. I'm thrilled to continue at Maccabi!"

"We wanted him (Barak Itzhaki) to stay and he wanted to stay, so when you have both parties wanting to reach a deal, then it was fairly simple." Club CEO Martin Bain said. 

"He's an important part of the dressing room, he's an important part of the team and he's a very important part of the club. He's popular among the supporters so it's a good thing to secure him for another two years. As we said at the end of last season that Maccabi has to raise the bar, meet the expectations of our supporters and we will do what we can to strengthen the squad. Everybody at the club, myself, Jordi (Technical Director Jordi Cruyff) and others have been working hard and it's important that we re-sign players like Barak who has been a core to the development of Maccabi in recent years. We have obviously brought Tal Ben Haim in and there are a few things that we are looking at, at the moment that will continue to strengthen the squad."

In response to the Champions League second qualifying draw against Hibernians of Malta, coach Slavisa Jokanovic told the official website: "Every draw is tricky one and whether it is a good draw or a tough draw we will know only after the two matches are played. We will study Hibernians closely to ensure we are prepared to the best of our ability for the first leg in Malta. As far as travel is concerned, Malta will probably be an easier destination than one of the other potential opponents we could have drawn".

Sports Director Jordi Cruyff added: “We respect all our opponents and will try to be well prepared. On a personal note, will be very happy to return to Malta which is an island I know well where people are friendly and I have good memories from.

 

Photos: FC Hibernians Facebook

Club: FC Hibernians

Country: Malta

Owner: Tony Bezzina

Coach: Branko Nisevic. His coaching career began when he was appointed as an assistant coach while still playing for Paul Zammit at Birkirkara FC in 2009/10. At the end of the following season Nisevic retired as an active player and stayed on as an assistant coach while also serving as the club's youth team head coach. Before being named manager of Hibernians in 2013, the club where Nisevic began his playing career, he also coached the Malta National Youth Team.

Hibernians in Europe: The club has played 16 Champions League qualifying matches dating back to 1961, having advanced to the second round on three occasions. Most recently in that round, Hibernians played FK Sarajevo before being eliminated on total goals 9:6 in 2012/13.

Past season: Hibernians captured the Maltese league title for the first time since 2008/09 and battled Valletta the prior year's champion right to the end of the season.

Star player: Andrew Cohen (34) Hibernian's Jewish attacking midfielder has been with the team since 1999 playing in close to 400 matches for the club. This past campaign, Cohen scored nine goals in 31 league appearances as Hibernians captured its 11th league title.

Maccabi Tel Aviv drawn against Hibernians of Malta in UEFA Champions League second round qualifying

photo: Hibernians Facebook

Maccabi Tel Aviv was drawn against Hibernians of Malta today in Nyon, Switzerland for a two-legged tie in UEFA Champions League second round qualifying. The first leg will be played in Malta on either July 14/15 with the return leg taking place the following week at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv.

FC Hibernians (Malta): Founded in 1922 the club is one of the oldest in the country and won their first league title in seven years this past season. The Maltese Champions host their home matches at the modest 3,000 seat Hibernians Ground in Paola and is coached by Branko Nesevic. The team includes seven foreign players including five from Brazil.

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv begins a new era today as the club welcomes new coach Slavisa Jokanovic who just landed in Israel

The Serbian coach will hold his first practice on Tuesday as the players will be coming back to start preparations for the 2015/16 season. Those on the Israel National Team will return on Friday and all of the players will begin training camp by undergoing medical checkup.

https://youtu.be/WhWLE8iTxGQ

Along with Jokanovic arrives Maccabi's new assistant coaches, Javier Pereira and Alberto Escobar as the first challenge for the Yellow-and-Blue will be the UEFA Champions League 2nd round qualifying in mid-July. Maccabi's opponent for the two-legged tie will be drawn at the UEFA offices in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday.

 

Haviv Ohayon one of Maccabi's 'keepers has already shown us how far he can kick the ball. Now it's time to challenge him on the pitch at Kiryat Shalom! The Haviv Challenge, final chapter!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3de0MJQ6S4

for mobile, click here

Haviv Ohayon one of Maccabi's 'keepers has already shown us how far he can kick the ball. Now it's time to challenge him on the pitch at Kiryat Shalom! The Haviv Challenge, chapter two

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbDDkKGBtig

For mobile view, click here