JERUSALEM, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Israel national football team head coach Willi Ruttensteiner has left his position, the Israeli Football Association (IFA) announced in a statement on Monday.
IFA chairman Oren Hason met on Monday with Ruttensteiner, and the two agreed that the coach would leave his post immediately, according to the statement.
Ruttensteiner, 59, had been the IFA's technical director since 2018, including responsibility for all junior teams.
In July 2020, the Austrian was appointed head coach of Israel, replacing his compatriot Andreas Herzog, who had resigned a month earlier.
Under Ruttensteiner's leadership, Israel finished third in Group F of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, failing to reach this year's finals in Qatar.
"I had a wonderful time in Israel and I am disappointed that the contract was not extended, mainly because I feel we have reached a maturity that will bear fruit in the near future," Ruttensteiner said.
Hason said that "Willi has promoted Israeli football and instilled patterns of professionalism. His knowledge and diligence are an example of a first-rate professional".
PSV Eindhoven's Israeli striker Eran Zehavi, a former Chinese Super League top scorer, wrote on social media: "Thank you for everything, Willi. It was a pleasure working with you".
The IFA has not yet appointed a new head coach, and Israel's two friendly matches against Germany and Romania next month will be led by assistant coach Marco Balbul. ■
