Just before the extension of coach Willy Rotensteiner's contract, "Today" was published in "Israel Today" about conversations of senior players in the Israeli national team with the heads of the football association regarding the Austrian's remaining in the position.
Among the names at the time were Eran Zehavi, Beavers Natcho and Moanes Dabour, three who are considered highly regarded by the rest of the players, although also two of those closest to the national coach.
A few months passed, and Rotensteiner was active on the issue of Dabour's return to the squad after the post he posted on social media in the last round of fighting within the country and in Gaza.
The Austrian was a kind of mediator between the association and Davor, made sure to go between the drops, and did everything to make the Hoffenheim striker part of the squad for games against the Faroe Islands, Austria and Denmark.
Coach Davor was a kind of mediator // Photo: Alan Schieber,
Believes in his way
When Davor made it clear that he had nothing to apologize for, Rotensteiner supported him and sent a message to the association in this spirit, while at the same time making it clear that professionally - the striker should be on the squad.
"There has never been a coach so involved in the relationship between the players and the association, getting himself into the most complex situations, but all in order for the players he wants to be on the staff," said a Football Association source, adding, "Willie did not rest on the Dabour issue. "Noble Omar he wanted to see in the team and if he had to issue a message or an apology, he would make sure it was carried out, and it did happen in the end. People have already forgotten, but Rotensteiner is the reason their golden hair returned to national uniform after the captain's throw storm."
Rotensteiner.
"Willie did not rest on the Dabour issue," Maor Elkselsi
For the players, this involvement of the Austrian is no surprise.
"Willie stood in front of the association for us in other cases," said one of the players.
"We allow ourselves to ask him for everything, and he is like our contact with those who need it. That's why most people love him and play for him as well. Today there is a special atmosphere in the team. Whoever is not here - will not understand."
On the other hand, the players currently on the roster, for the most part, are also the ones who went with Rotensteiner in the previous League of Nations campaign.
Natcho towards the Faroe Islands.
The Austrian's favorite, Maur Elkelsi
Captain Beavers Natcho remains one of the most esteemed on the Austrian, as are all the other players in the squad, who almost
Has not changed.
"Willie is going with his professional path, for better or worse," team officials explained.
In the League of Nations, this road led Israel to a penalty kick away from a game on the ticket to the European Championship, but in the World Cup qualifiers the task is much more difficult.
"Waiting for our fall"
Ahead of three games in a week - the first of which tonight (21:45) against the Faroe Islands - it is clear to Rotensteiner and his players that 6 points or more out of 9 possible will leave the Israeli team in the picture of the first trio at home, which is the goal.
"Willie and the players are one unit, for better or worse," admitted one of the players on the team.
"We know some people are waiting for our downfall, maybe even in the media, but we have learned to disconnect from all the noises around us and concentrate only on what really matters."
If so, the locker room continues to be united and strong around Willy Rotensteiner, despite outside criticism, including officials at the Football Association, who would have preferred to see an Israeli coach on the lines.
Tonight, any result other than a win can crack the idyll even inside the locker room.