Yossi Benyon: "Inside, inside my stomach, I felt I had to go with Alon Hazan" | Israel today

Next month, the Israeli team will open the League of Nations qualifiers in two games against Iceland and Albania, and this will also be the official opening of Idan Yossi Benyon as the professional manager.

Moshe Ben Simhon

Just before Benyon and the coach chosen by Alon Hazan set off - the professional manager arrived for an exclusive interview with "Shishvat", where he talked about the considerations in choosing the coach, the advice to Eran Zehavi ("he will do what is good and not think of anyone." Why Parshat? '), The meetings with the foreign coaches, the period in Betar Jerusalem alongside Moshe Hogg, the childhood in Dimona, and even about the politics that entered the locker room in recent years and threatened to damage the social fabric of the team.

Yossi Benayoun.

Mistakes in summons once - no more ", Photo: Udi Citiat

When he was only 42, Benyon chose Hazan out of a belief that he was the man who could sweep an entire country after him, qualify for a major tournament and enter the pages of history.

He clarifies that "it will not be easy", but is also sure that "if the crowd is behind the team - this is a more important goal than promotion to a big tournament."

"I sat down with foreign coaches, and it was clear to everyone that there were other candidates," Benyon said of the choice of cantor.

"I kept it until the last minute, and did not know what I had decided. I gave Oren Hasson and the locating committee the analysis of things - and to my delight they agreed with me. Inside, inside my stomach, I felt I had to go with Alon."

Yossi Benayoun.

It's his time, Photo: Udi Citiate

The new professional manager of the team referred to the commitment of players to the national shirt, another thing that has been damaged in recent years after some preferred to go on vacations or suddenly "carried injuries".

"If someone decides that the Israeli team is not in the first place in their priorities - he will not be here," he clarified. "One player or another, he will not be here."

"When I was in Betar, everything knocked like clockwork"

Benayoun was present in the last game against Romania in a friendly setting, but already there he realized that there are things that are far beyond football.

Striker Mons Dabour scored a double, but the crowd only "despised" every time he touched the ball.

Halutz Hoffenheim's remarks on social media during Operation Guardian of the Walls have not yet subsided, and Benyon admitted:

"Now there will be a new way, mine and Alon's, and everyone will understand from the first moment that there is a different order, our rules. We will do everything so that politics does not penetrate the team, because there is no connection between it and football."

Benyon.

Building on a cohesive staff, Photo: Udi Citiat

The professional director added: "Professionally, Mons has proven himself to be an excellent player. We have to do everything to have a cohesive staff of people who want to represent the State of Israel. We can influence the team, and here they will not engage in politics. There should be a healthy locker room here. Whoever enters politics - probably his place is not in the national team. "

Benyon also addressed for the first time in detail the issue of Betar Jerusalem owners Moshe Hogg and the affair that exploded around him. "The truth?

I did not see it happen.

There were no early signs of this.

"I do not live with him at home, but in Betar Jerusalem everything knocked like clockwork. There was not a single delay in payments. I was also an actor there for a few months, and everything worked properly."

Alon Hazan.

Benyon's coach, Photo: Alan Schieber

In the midst of all this, tomorrow Benyon will already be on the plane to Liverpool, perhaps to also remind the Israeli audience who the man is who will lead the Israeli team professionally.

Benayoun will play alongside the Liverpool stars against the Manchester United stars in a showcase game.

"It's the best crowd in the world, an experience," Benyon said. "It's fun. Not just there, also at Chelsea and Arsenal. Now Liverpool are in the top, so it's much more floating."

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