Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Sports Director spoke to the media in preparation for Maccabi’s State Cup Round of 32 match away at Bnei Lod this Saturday night at 18:30:

Opening statement by Jordi Cruyff: “We will be discussing only the Cup game and nothing else at this press conference”

Who will be coaching the game this Saturday night:

“We will arrange the staff internally for the match and we will inform you when we have to. We had this issue a few years ago and we will let you know on the Official website.”

Addressing the players:

“I don’t think the players need to know everything. They need to know that there is a chance I will address them and if I have to say something I will.”

How will the players react on the pitch:

“I don’t know, I’ll be able to answer the question after the game on Saturday. Players usually react after these types of changes and we will see if it will be positive or negative.”

Hard times:

“The club has had many good years and now is a difficult time with changes. When you get used to winning you forget what losing is. Sometimes losing gives you a reality check.”

Style o play going forward:

“I think that the Shota Arveladze line has been the same over the past four years and I don’t think we will change that.”

Remaining as coach:

“There’s no option that I will stay as the coach of Maccabi. It’s really not about me but about the Club. We are going through a difficult year and we expected it. We probably didn’t expect the last 6-7 weeks when we lost points against teams that we should have taken points. I think that everybody who understands this will see we can rebuild. There is a direct line with the owner and a lot of mutual trust.”

Challenge for Saturday’s match against Bnei Lod:

“Saturday will be very interesting and we will focus on that.”

Making changes to the coaching staff and squad:

“It’s not something we need to hurry and it’s a change that we aren’t planning just for the next five months but also for the next season. We will look at what the team needs and it’s time to rebuild.”

Importance of the Bnei Lod match:

“For us at the moment the next game is always the most important. We had some disappointments as we haven’t made it further in the Toto Cup and we have had some unacceptable results in the league but the Cup is something we will fight for and it doesn’t matter how you are performing in the league it’s a a totally different competition.”

Media coverage and Patrick van Leeuwen coaching the team:

“Most things I read in the media is not close to the truth. We don’t react as a club to the type of media circus. To me it was never an option and for me it is irrelevant. I would encourage our fans not to react. I will say that some things are true but it’s best not to react. Together we will go out and execute. Mitch Goldhar is a man with a winning mentality and character and I have that same character.”

Responsibility:

“The responsibility always lies with the decision makers and it also lies with the players they can’t hide that fact and that is also true with the coach. Ultimately I am responsible. There are many games when a coach has a direct influence on the game and there have been some games that we had to win and we all have to take responsibility including the players. We have underperformed.”

Relation with Mitch Goldhar:

“My relation with the owner is a good one and a solid one. Things that are happening this season were not unexpected for me and for him. We were planning to go through a process over the summer and maybe we will begin in January.”

Expectations for easy matches:

“We have not had any easy matches and we can’t be arrogant. We don’t deserve to act this way.”