The handling of the violent incident in Poland • The fine for a senior who hung out with Pelephone in the dressing room

• Yossi Benayoun. His future is uncertain

  Photo: 

  Danny Maron

Poland, July 2019. Betar Jerusalem training camp for the 2019/20 season. Players were bought with huge sums, positive energy, expectations in the sky. Benyon in his new position, the first crisis among many, including this past week since the loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv, which the professional manager has managed with a high level.

The story that didn't leak to the media

You are probably curious to know what happened in that incident, and this morning at "Israel Today" we are unveiling it for the first time. At the halfway point of one of the training games the team conducted, a verbal confrontation developed between Antoine Conte and Capricorn Kinda, a confrontation that very quickly surfaced to strike between the two. And no, this is not another physical confrontation of urgency between players. According to officials present at the event, it was only after the intervention of several actors and staff, who were mainly trying to take control of Conte, the brawl came to an end.

The fine, the smirk, and the payment the next day

Betar broke his head that day to report the incident to the media, lest it hurt the players. Did Punish or even cut Conte and Kinda, two of the most senior players on the team? The one who took the reins after the violent event was Yossi Benion, who made a difficult meeting for players and between The rest told them: "Today is your test: if this story comes to the media - I will know that it is only you. If not, I will know that you are men and there is a strong locker room here. ”This story, to this day, has not leaked to the media.

Yossi Benayoun. Will he be able to calm the spirits at home and garden? // Photo: Oren Ben Hakon

Both players were punished. Later, Kinda became the undisputed star of the team and the Premier League, until it was sold in January to Kansas City Sports from the MLS (U.S. Soccer League). But the bottom line is that Benyon managed to keep the locker room united. And that's just one of the examples.

In another case, one of the senior players refused a professional manager's request not to hang out with Pelephone in the locker room. When Benyun informed him that he had been fined NIS hundreds, the actor smirked, thinking that the professional manager would give him up. Except that didn't happen - and the fine was paid in full by the same player the next day.

The Betar also had other types of crises, such as the mess around Ali Muhammad at the beginning of the season, the tension between the audience and Ronnie Levy that began long before the Corona's retreat, frustrated players who had to worry about not making problems, professional crises and more. "As an actor, Yossi went through the locker rooms And the greatest coaches in the world, so he knows what the players feel and what environment they have to produce, "they say about him at the club.

The players say that Bennyon gives them a feeling that they always have his back. He often makes personal calls with them. These conversations, especially with players who don't always get credit, like Shay Constantine, Adi Tamir and Shalom Edri, do the job. There are players who have 24-hour access to call him on any issue or problem. A player in the group says: "When someone needs to be picked up, Yossi knows how to do it. Some players need different treatment, so he treats them more warmly. However, when he needs to, he also knows how to give his head. Sometimes his gaze is just enough for us."

Benion with Ohana. Doesn't drive "mix" // Photo: Danny Maron

Benyun always tells the players the truth inside, doesn't sell them unrealistic things, and in other words doesn't "mix" them. This is why almost the majority of the faculty has been linked to it. Even after the humiliation with Hapoel Tel Aviv, he did not choose to deceive, did not visit the players directly or indirectly in the media, and to the club members at Vagan he always says that proportions must be maintained. "All of Yossi's decisions are solely for the club, even if it is Says he can sometimes get hurt, "Betar says.

The issue that may affect his future

Although Benyon has had crises wonderfully in his first season on the job, the locker room has provided a healthy, and the results have not been so bad, it is still unclear if he will continue beyond the current season. The professional manager also holds the contract for next season, and recently met with a celebrant, who offered to extend the contract. Staying there depends on many other things, such as the coach's issue.

From Benyon’s angle, the team’s season is not defined as “failure”. Betar has won the Toto Cup, is in third place and very close to Europe. The group has around NIS 25 million - far behind Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Hasharon.

Owner Moshe Hogga, who has invested a lot of money in the group, sees things a little differently, especially in light of the impeachment from the National Cup and humiliation against Hapoel Tel Aviv, and therefore in his vicinity he recommends to say goodbye to Ronny Levy.

Ronnie Levy. Will stay there next season too? // Photo by Danny Maron

If Bennyon insists on Levi's stay - which arrives in Europe will automatically lead to a renewal of his contract - this could lead to a crisis in front of the owner and may even affect his stay. Benyon, for those who have forgotten, is the sole authority on the issue of the coach. On the other hand, a Betar senior claimed the other day: "Yossi should not tie himself up with any coach, no matter what his name is." Another factor added: "Benyun has started his new career here and needs to look ahead. He may also need to adjust.

As you can understand, the issue of the coach for next season is really unsolved, despite all the soothing messages that Betar leaders tried to broadcast before the game tonight against Maccabi Tel Aviv. But in football, what ultimately determines this is only the outcome test. If the Jerusalemites beat the champion tonight and suddenly surpass the victory in the top playoffs, the whole situation may change completely, but even if not, you can be sure that Benyon will know how to manage the next crisis as well