Yesterday (Tuesday) the entire Israeli footballing community took leave of a beloved figure, an accomplished manager, educator and role model to everyone involved in the game of football in this country. Former footballer and Israeli Premier League manager Nitzan Shirazi yesterday died at the young age of 43 after a long struggle with serious illness
Nitzan Shirazi worked at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division in the period between 1995 and 2003, during which time he took charge of a whole host of youth teams as both head and assistant coach, including the club's Under-19s. Hundreds of youth team matches were played under his devoted guidance, leaving an indelible mark not only on the Youth Division but on the club as a whole. It was through his dedication that so many young players advanced to the senior squad, to Israeli national teams at all levels and to impressive careers in all the top divisions of Israeli football, among them Tamir Cohen, Reuven Oved, Eli Biton, Kobi Musa, Salam Abu Siam, Roni Gafni and many others. After leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv he went on to coach senior teams at Bnei Yehuda, Maccabi Petach Tikva, Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division Football Director, Nir Levin, said to the official club website: "I worked with Nitzan Shirazi 13 years ago when I was head coach of Maccabi's senior squad and Nitzan had the same position with the Under-19s. Nitzan was a professional at the highest level, decent, straightforward and positive. Our collaboration enabled a great number of young players at Maccabi Tel Aviv to develop and get ahead and to find a place in the senior team. Later on we also met on the pitch as opposing managers and professional colleagues and he was always a real mensch, courteous, professional and a true leader. It's a pity that people like Nitzan are such a rarity in Israeli football. May his memory always be a blessing".
Shirazi was also the cousin of the wife of Roni ("Bambi") Meir, currently Maccabi Tel Aviv's first team scout.
Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club, together with the entire Israeli footballing community, mourn the passing of Nitzan Shirazi and express their deepest condolences to his family. His memory will always be cherished.
