When talking about a critical and fateful week for a football team in preparation for qualifying for the European group stage, there is nothing like catching up with Assi Rahami, the former CEO of Hapoel Beer Sheva for the past decade.
Rahamim, who was appointed to the position in 2010, is undoubtedly a CEO who has experienced a lot of Europe in his life - three times in the group stages, and even reached the top 32 in the Europa League.
Essi revealed to us a small window on what happens in a football club in a fateful week before a decisive game.
"HaPoel Be'er Sheva has been reaching such prestigious positions for almost a decade in a row. Sometimes it ends in the houses and sometimes it ends a little earlier, but it is not obvious to reach such positions in a succession of years.
They know how to greatly appreciate every participation of the club in such a position, and how important it is to instill the tradition and especially to reach games like Lugano in the third round or like Cariuba in the playoffs, which you are already experienced.
We have seen this maturity manifested even if not always in great football, but maturity and experience that are very influential and help to move up a level, so tonight's game will be doubly exciting.
I have no doubt that with a full turner and the good energy they will have, Hapoel Beer Sheva will also complete the task and qualify for the group stage."
Hapoel Beer Sheva towards Craiova.
"We saw maturity and experience that are very influential and help to move up a level", Photo: Liron Moldovan
In a week like this, the CEO of a club and it doesn't matter which club, is under a crazy load, and there is no doubt that all the load of preparations and logistics drains to one person and he is the CEO.
"Very true. In a week like this we must take care of the players' peace and needs, less communication and less interviews, make sure that they are focused solely on completing the task, take care of all the logistics of hosting a UEFA match, dealing with the observer, dealing with the visiting team and making sure that everything goes well and smoothly .
It's a week without sleep with a lot of operation that drives such an event."
The CEO is not alone in the system and there are quite a few people around him, but it is important to understand the conduct of the owners in a week like this. "Alona Barkat, in the case of Hapoel Beer Sheva, brings her experience and her quietness in conversations with the professional team and sometimes also in conversations with the players," Rahamim says. She contributes a lot from her experience over the long years in Europe - how to bring the team with the right tension to complete the task, and it is clear that the completion of the task entails money and a ranking that will affect the team's ranking in the coming years in Europe."
Esi Rachaim and Alona Barkat.
"She contributes a lot with her experience over the long years in Europe", photo: Dodo Greenspan
Unlike decisive games in the league, where the audience looks for interactions with the players, in Europe this happens less.
"Usually in home games the players don't leave the city. Dealing with the players is normal like before any home game without special preparations, sometimes over vigilance and tension will only hurt and you want to give the player the feeling of business as usual. Every player today in Hapoel Be'er Sheva understands the size of the class And the importance of the game - to him personally and to the club in general."
Esi Rahami has not visited the Toto Turner Stadium since he left the position of CEO, and it is important to note that the departure was done in the best and most respectful way possible on the part of the club. My friends and people who are very dear to me, this situation is not easy for me and I am currently following and watching from home and I am sure that with time things will be easier and I will be able to come and enjoy.
Right now I prefer the armchair in the living room."
Ace of mercy.
At the moment, taking distance, photo: Oded Karni
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