Dror Kashtan, the most decorated coach in the history of Israeli football and one of the greatest coaches in the history of the country, who passed away yesterday (Monday) at the age of 79, was laid to rest today at the Right Rest Cemetery in Kfar Saba, in the presence of football people, former players and his pupils over the years, including Eli Ohana, Yossi Mizrahi, Omri Afek, Nissim Bahar, Michel Dayan, Avi Nimani and many more.
Kashtan won no less than 6 championships, 6 state cups, 3 Toto Cups and 3 titles during his coaching career. Kashtan, who played for Hapoel Petah Tikva and Hapoel Kfar Saba and made three appearances for the Israeli national team, began his coaching career in 1977 at Hapoel Kfar Saba, which he led to the championship in 1981/82. He then led Hapoel Lod to the State Cup (1983/84) and Beitar Jerusalem to three championships (1986/87, 1992/1993, 1997/98) and two cups (1985/86, 1988/89).
Kashtan in his great days, photo: Alan Shaver
In his trophy cabinet you can also find a championship and cup at Maccabi Tel Aviv (1995/96) and a championship (1999/20) and two cups (1999/20, 2005/06) at Hapoel Tel Aviv, which he also led to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in an amazing journey in the 2001/2 season. In his coaching career he also coached Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Ramat Gan, Hapoel Petah Tikva, Bnei Yehuda and the Israeli national team (2006-2010).
Many colleagues and friends came to pay their respects to Kashtan, Photo: Alan Shaver
Zavik Seltzer and former judge Danny Koren, photo: Alan Shaver
Omri Afek and Eli Ohana, today at Dror Kashtan's funeral, photo: Alan Shaver
Nir Klinger, today in the CPS, photo: Alan Shaver
Hila Kashtan, his daughter, eulogized him: "Daddy, beloved of my heart, how do you say goodbye to a wonderful man like you? A family man, who puts family above everything. A devoted father with endless giving. All these years they presented you as a tough person, they probably didn't really know you. You were as soft as it gets. Yesterday you closed your eyes. Thank you for being my dad, I couldn't have asked for a better dad. You will always continue to accompany me. Rest in peace, love you forever."
Tomer Kashtan, his son, eulogized: "Today I say goodbye to 'Cookie.' You probably think I made a mistake or freaked out, because you know my father as "Sphinx," "Sergeant," "Interview Refuser," or other nicknames attached to him. But for me, my dad is Cookie. Every day we called each other that. In your sporting way, you were a stranger in Israeli football. You were a kind of German, with uncompromising principles. In your own special way, you have strictly adhered to the spike of iodine. You always thought that attention to detail would lead you to success, and you were right. You are the most decorated coach in Israel, but the greatest success is the legacy you left behind.
"You left behind generations of players, staff and management, who did not always accept the tough path in real time, thanking you until your last day for the lessons you gave them for life. There are no more coaches like you, there are no other people like you. You were a guide to so many people, but for the family you were the anchor, a man who lights the way, who knows how to support every day and every hour. Thank you for all the lessons you taught me. I love you, look how much everyone loves you."
Kashtan Dror is laid to rest, today in K.P.,
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Dror Kashtan is laid to rest, today in KfS, photo: Alan Shaver
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