Maccabi Haifa celebrates a championship (Photo: Shlomo Weiss | Video Editing: Nir Chen)
Now it is closed, signed and official: Barak Bachar has been appointed coach of Red Star Belgrade on a contract for the next three years, the champions of Serbia and Israel announced simultaneously today (Friday afternoon). As expected, Barak Bachar is ending his career at Maccabi Haifa and will serve as coach of Red Star Belgrade starting this summer. Talks over the successful coach's move to the Serbian capital began weeks ago, but the official announcement only came today as both clubs wanted to keep quiet while still fighting for domestic titles.
Bachar told Maccabi Haifa's official website: "Although I am leaving, I am not saying goodbye. We embarked together on a tremendous journey of three years. Three exciting, upsetting and unforgettable years. Thank you to every player and crew member who has been a part of this journey. To Uzi, Or, Gal, Assaf Itzik and of course Yankele. Thank you for letting me feel a sense of belonging and part of the amazing family. In conclusion, a huge thank you to you, the fans, for the push, encouragement and for being with us in any situation and unconditionally. It's hard and impossible to hug each of you, so I'll end with one word – love."
Maccabi Haifa President Yaakov Shahar said: "My dear ones, Barak Bahar, Guy Sarfati, Guy Weisinger, Danny Inbar and Adam David who are embarking on a mission and to all those who remain, in the last three years you have concluded a glorious chapter in the history of our club. Thank you to whoever brought you, probably foresaw this. You have earned your courtship from abroad with honor and I wish you success. They will always remember where you came from. For better or worse. Then they proudly raised the flag of Maccabi Haifa in Belgrade. Many thanks and goodbye."
Alberman added: "Today is a special day full of emotion, when we say goodbye to the team's coach Barak Bahar. We say goodbye to an extraordinary personality who led Maccabi Haifa Football Team on an amazing and unforgettable journey. Barak, working alongside you has been enriching, empowering and inspiring. On behalf of myself and all the teams we have worked with together and on behalf of the huge fan base that accompanies the team, I would like to thank you for your three seasons as the team's coach, which will be discussed for many years to come. I would like to wish you the best of luck in this new challenge and I am sure that many peaks and achievements are yet to come. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the professional staff, Guy Sarfati, Guy Weisinger, Adam David and Danny Inbar. Working alongside you as a team was exciting, fun and full of extraordinary experiences. We wish you all great success in your future professional and personal paths."
Leaving Maccabi Haifa as a legend. Bachar signs with the Red Star (Photo: official website, Red Star Belgrade)
The 43-year-old is moving on to the fourth stop of his coaching career, having managed to win trophies in each of the previous three. He began his career at Ironi Kiryat Shmona, where he served as head coach from 2012 to 2015, leading them to a historic State Cup win in 2014.
In 2015 he was appointed coach of Hapoel Be'er Sheva and stood on the sidelines when the team from the capital of the Negev won three consecutive championships, once the Toto Cup and twice the champion of champions. In addition, he led it to successes in the European arena.
Bachar resigned from Hapoel Be'er Sheva in January 2020 when the team was in fourth place and struggled to replicate the ability of previous years. About six months later he was appointed coach of Maccabi Haifa and in the three years that have passed since then, he has led the team to a series of brilliant successes.
Under Behar, Maccabi Haifa won three championships, one Toto Cup and one champion of champions. Over the past three years, the Greens have dominated the Israeli Premier League and have also recorded great successes in Europe. This season they became the first team to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League and also win the championship.
- sport
- Israeli football
- League
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- Barak Bachar
- Maccabi Haifa
- Red Star Belgrade
