In June 2019, when he was 31 years old and after several serious injuries, Maor Bozaglu decided to sign a two-year contract with Hapoel Tel Aviv. The talented midfielder, who had seen a thing or two about our football, knew that this was probably his last chance to play for one of the biggest teams in Israel, and for the Reds it was a morale boost After years a player of his stature has not been seen in the Khodorov Complex.
The signing ceremony of Bozaglu, together with his father Yaakov, and Sharon Nisanov, the owners of Hapoel Tel Aviv, was as usual with very good energy, and accompanied by many smiles. But as has often happened in recent years with other players, the club's management decided to cancel his contract, using the epidemic The Corona to try and find a loophole in the way to get what was wanted. From here began a very difficult struggle between the parties that ended last week, this after Bozgalo, after a persistent fight in court, got the money he deserved.
In an interview with Israel Hayom, he talks about his feelings after the end of the affair, explains why he fought tooth and nail to emerge from this period as a "winner" and claims that this is not a personal war against the Nisanov brothers.
"I will never seek revenge, it's petty and it's the furthest thing from me," he says.
"A sense of victory? Of course. From the beginning it wasn't supposed to be like this, because all in all I demanded the salary that was promised to me. I love Hapoel Tel Aviv, it's a huge club and managements change.
I'm glad I got what I deserve."
Hapoel has been exposed to countless lawsuits from players whose contracts were breached prematurely. Did you think that your war is somewhere also for the sake of others?
"Definitely, it was an integral part of my war. Maybe I am portrayed in the eyes of some people as an egotistical type, but those who know me know that I have always looked ahead and not only at myself. I constantly advise senior and young footballers how to conduct themselves in football, and if they do not stand up for themselves Their chances of making a decent living will be small. Football all over the world is a show, it's money, and here, too, clubs and owners need to understand that."
Bozglou at the opening training session in the summer of 2019, photo: Marko
How do you relate to the fact that in the end, because of your struggle, and regardless of the criticism of Hapoel fans on the management, you also received fire from them on the networks?
"Football fans are motivated by love for their club, that's the main thing and maybe the only thing that interests them. Hapoel Tel Aviv in recent years hasn't shown anything similar to its beautiful times, and the story with me was just a catalyst to let off steam.
I meet Hapoel fans all the time and they are very positive towards me.
I say again, they have a great and loyal audience."
How much power does the budget control have in this matter to prevent such cases in the future?
"In Israeli football, you don't always know who is responsible for what and when. Sometimes it's the association, sometimes it's the administration, sometimes it's the players' organization. The right hand doesn't always know where the left hand is, and the role of budgetary control is to be the final seal so that things like what happened to me don't happen. In Europe, the budgetary control is like an insurance company for the players and the club. No matter what happens - what was promised to the players and what was signed in the contract simply must be fulfilled."
"There is so much work to be done in Israeli football to really empower the bodies to stand up for the players. We are in a period of flourishing football from the aspect of the audience and the facilities. Everyone is flocking to the stadiums, Israeli women are stars in Europe and if the bureaucratic bodies do what is necessary, it will be better here."
On the trip he retired from last January, photo: Alan Shiver
"Coach? No thanks"
Back during the arbitration with Hapoel Tel Aviv, after the long bureaucratic process damaged his drive to continue playing, and when he did not receive offers good enough for him, Bozaglou officially retired from football last January.
The one who was an integral part of the great days of Hapoel BS during the Barak Bacher days in the previous decade and is considered one of the most interesting figures in Israeli football in the last generation, has decided that his strength has run out.
In the bottom line, it can be said that Hapoel's management is the one that made you retire from football in an unethical way. How frustrated were you with this situation?
"The truth is that I'm after it. Maybe it sounds cliché, but it's all for the better. At the time I was frustrated, but today I understand that maybe this is the path God chose for me. I was already materially tired, the burnout and the injuries pushed me even though I didn't lose anything in terms of fitness The game and the sharpness. Today I enjoy my children, my wife and the music I make, and I still breathe the football I love so much through commentary."
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At the same time as your current work as a media person, are you thinking of staying in football, coaching children, taking a course, or getting involved in the industry in one way or another?
"If football is a cruel profession - being a coach is easy. There is no respect for coaches in Israel, and the turnover and impatience here is shocking, so no, thank you - I am happy where I am. I am part of the industry as a commentator, I have an academy for children and this is my God's lot in this field. If my children join as active players, maybe I'll talk differently, but right now I'm exactly where I need to be."
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