JERUSALEM, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Former football star Yossi Benayoun will not remain as general manager of the Israeli national team, the Israel Football Association (IFA) said in a statement on Tuesday night.
The decision follows Israel's failure to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2024 after losing to Iceland 4-1 in Budapest in the qualifying playoff semifinals last week.
The 43-year-old Benayoun, who played as a midfielder for top clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, took up his position with the national team in March 2022, on a two-year contract with an option for two more. But due to the loss, the IFA has now informed Benayoun about the decision not to exercise the extension option.
The Israeli sports media reported that the IFA will also part ways with the team's head coach Alon Hazan, and appoint Barak Bachar as the successor.
Bachar, 44, won six Israeli Premier League titles between 2016 and 2023, with Hapoel Beer Sheva and Maccabi Haifa.
He started the current season as head coach of Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade, but was fired in late December last year.
Israel's next campaign will be between September and November in League A of the UEFA Nations League, where they will play against France, Belgium and Italy. ■
