Jose Rodríguez in an interview: "Without a doubt, Maccabi Haifa is the biggest club in Israel" | Israel Hayom

A day before the match between Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jose Rodríguez, the Greens midfielder of the previous two years, sits at his home in Spain waiting for the opening whistle as if he were still in Israel. Those who follow the Spaniard are not really surprised. Almost every day he is active on social networks, filming himself watching Maccabi Haifa games in the league, and at the beginning of the season also in Europe, answering fans and posts published by the players as if he were still part of the team.

Rodríguez left Israel last summer and signed for Belgian club Union St. Gillois, but left the club in January and is now a free agent. In a conversation with Israel Hayom, he immediately clarifies: "The game against Maccabi Tel Aviv? Of course I'll watch it, what a question. I have seen all the Maccabi Haifa games this season and I am sure they will win. Even if they don't win, nothing will happen. They'll win the championship, I have no doubt about that. Without a doubt, Maccabi Haifa is the biggest club in Israel."

You make sure to post in support of Israel at every opportunity and seem to keep in touch with the players.

"Yes, absolutely. I'm constantly in touch with the coaches and players, almost every day. For me, Israel is a dream place because of my faith. Besides, Haifa is my favorite place because of everything it has given me in life, and that's quite a bit."

The brawl between Haifa and Be'er Sheva last week,

From what you've seen, do you think you could help this season in the league and Champions League?

"I think they know everything I can give to the club. I will never speak badly of this club. Now probably a lot of fans will call me to come back and play in Haifa."

You seem to miss Israel and Maccabi Haifa.

"The truth is, I miss it. This is the first time in my life that I regret leaving a team I played for. That's the truth."

Rodríguez celebrates a championship with Haifa at the end of last season, photo: Alan Shaver

"IPS will deal with football"

Throughout the conversation, it's amazing to see how much a player who has been in Israel for a total of two years is connected to the place. The knowledge around everything that happens at Maccabi Haifa is great, and as you will recall, Rodríguez also played for Maccabi Tel Aviv for a short period. The Spaniard also watched the violence at the end of the Greens' game at Toto Turner after the encounter against Hapoel Be'Sheva.

"I don't know why there are always fights in games between them," he says, "I think BS should deal with football 100% because they are a very good team. But in the end, everything depends on Maccabi Haifa, and if they win the games they have left, they will win a third consecutive championship."

Have you heard that Barak Bachar will probably leave Maccabi Haifa and coach Red Star Belgrade?

"I don't know if Barak will leave or not, what I do know is that he is the best coach in the history of Israeli football. In my opinion, he needs to go out and develop at a big club abroad. The easy way is to stay in Haifa and continue to win trophies, but when you think about yourself, maybe it's time to go and grow. He is like the best coaches in Europe, and I have no doubt that he will succeed outside of Israel as well. It is important to emphasize that Barak's strength is also the coaching staff he has. They are perfect and unique together, it's important for everyone to talk about them together and not just about lightning."

Behar. You have to move forward if you ask the Spaniard, Photo: Maor Elkeslassy

Finally, is there anything you want to convey to Maccabi Haifa fans from here?

"I want to tell them that they will be in my heart forever. Really, every day I get messages from fans and friends in Israel. It's important for me to say that this is the most significant thing to me, and it's worth much more than money. Not long ago I got a tattoo on my body that tells about my time at Maccabi Haifa and Israel. It's part of me."

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