By David Gold
January 4 – Eli Guttman (pictured) has been announced as the new Israeli national team coach, replacing Frenchman Luis Fernández, who left after a disappointing Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Guttman arrives with a strong reputation as a meticulous coach, having won the only league title in Hapoel Haifa’s history, as well as guiding Hapoel Tel Aviv to the league and cup double in 2010 and the subsequent season’s UEFA Champions League group stage.
The 53-year-old has also previously coached Paralimni and AEL Limassol, and had been out of work after leaving Hapoel following its cup victory at the end of last season.
Guttman will be tasked with taking the country to the World Cup in Brazil in three years’ time.
Hopes were high that Israel could qualify for their first European Championships under Fernández but he could only guide the country to third place behind Greece and Croatia in qualifying.
Fernández was widely criticised in Israel during his brief reign in charge of the national team after poor results against the likes of Georgia and Latvia, and during Euro 2012 qualifying he frequently changed his line ups.
Guttman is a popular choice in Israel having been a successful club coach with Hapoel Tel Aviv and was voted into his post unanimously by the Israeli Football Association (IFA).
Israel has made a habit of narrowly missing out on major tournaments in recent years, including the 2006 World Cup, during which they managed the unusual feat of going unbeaten throughout a qualifying campaign against France, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland yet still failing to reach the play offs.
Guttman is hoping to finally help the country reach a major tournament, saying: “I don’t believe in shortcuts.
“I have already been thinking like a national team coach for the past six months and I believe in my ability.
“A coach that knows how to relay a tactical message can do so even in the little time you have with the players when you guide a national team.
“I aspire to reach the World Cup.
“We have good players and we will work on our weaknesses.
“We must remain humble, but had I not believed we were capable of qualifying for the World Cup I wouldn’t be here.”
IFA chief Avi Luzon (pictured) praised Guttman as “a professional with tactical discipline”.
“Never has there been such a consensus around the appointment of a national team coach,” Luzon added.
“He is a real pro and I will make sure Eli and his staff are given all they need to succeed.
“I believe Eli will be able to instil the players and the fans with the belief that we can qualify.”
Guttman’s first match is against Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine in a friendly in February, with the team also set to play Germany and Hungary before kicking off a tricky qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014, where they face Russia and Portugal.
They also play Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
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