One of the Youth Academy’s goals is to help players grow and develop into players who can contribute and play on the First Team. Behind the scene there are plenty of coaches and staff who work day and night who give their all to the Yellow & Blue youngsters in their quest to be the best that they can be. Let’s meet some of those important people:
Guy Tzarfati
Coach: Under-19
Years as football coach: 5 years
Why did you decide to become a coach: “The love of the game”
Number of seasons a coach with the club: 2nd season
What are your thoughts about the changes in the Youth Department? The new philosophy and the use of technology: “Professionalism, modernization and the ability to improve the players.”
What do you think is the most important thing to impart in young players in order for them to develop into professionals? “A strong mentality and the ability to cope with both success and difficulties, thinking during the match.”
How do you work on improving both yourself and your training ability? “I’m always trying to learn more and more within the framework that I’m in.”
Is there a player that trained under you who has succeeded in Israeli football? “Or Dasa took a huge step this year. I hope that he will continue on the same path and become a part of Maccabi’s First Team.”
Role Model: “I don’t have one, I try to take a little from everyone”
Favorite club in the world: “Maccabi of course.”
Unforgettable match: “7:0 over Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield.”
Something that we don’t know that’s unrelated to football: “I really like to be at home and on an off day I enjoy just walking around Dizengoff, my Tel Aviv childhood. I really love walking around the city.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: “I want to remain in the Maccabi system for many years and create a history in the area of coaching, just like I did as a player.”
Alon Peleg
Coach: Under-14 North
Years as football coach: 7 years (all at Maccabi)
Why did you decide to become a coach: “The passion for football and working with children and youth.”
What are your thoughts about the changes in the Youth Department? The new philosophy and the use of technology: “It’s a welcome change and congratulations to the people who pushed to make that move. When we go to continuing education seminars in Europe, we are beginning to see things that are similar to our Youth Department at Maccabi and that helps us continue to improve and move another step forward in developing better younger players and a higher level of football culture.”
What do you think is the most important thing to impart in young players in order for them to develop into professionals? “The pace of play os much higher than in the past and that’s the first thing a young player needs to adapt to which is thinking and reacting quickly which could be a very big advantage. There also needs to be a good defensive basis and tactical understanding. But most importantly we have to imbue professionalism as we can’t afford to lose a talented youngster due to a lack of professionalism.”
How do you work on improving both yourself and your training ability? “In my spare time I am still working on the pitch via the internet. I am always looking to read more about modern football and watch how other coaches dissect certain situations on YouTube. In addition, I enjoy learning form the Youth Department’s new professional staff and to take their experience and tips that they are happy to share with me.”
Is there a player that trained under you who has succeeded in Israeli football? “I’m still young but I believe in the near future I’ll be able to see one or two players with the First Team.”
Role Model: “Pep Guardiola”
Favorite club in the world: “Manchester United.”
Unforgettable match: “Maccabi’s 3:1 win over Maccabi Haifa at Kiryat Eliezer in 1995/96.”
Something that we don’t know that’s unrelated to football: “I recently got married (August 18), I have a degree in business administration and I really enjoy checking out new restaurants and tasting new dishes.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: “That’s a tough question because life is so dynamic, but I’d be happy to remain in the football field as a coach, professional director or someone behind the scenes. I invest plenty of time and I believe that this will ve the case as I’m very satisfied doing what I do now.”
Boaz Bracha
Coach: Under-11 South
Years as football coach: 6 years (All at Maccabi)
Why did you decide to become a coach: “The love of the game and the desire to help develop young players, after I ended my career when I was a young player.”
What are your thoughts about the changes in the Youth Department? The new philosophy and the use of technology: “Changes and bringing in new things is always great when you want to continue to advance especially when this helps turn one into a better coach and better players. Every football club or an organized establishment needs to have a philosophy or a certain path in order to monitor and document advancements. I’m happy that they’ve added these tools in order for the coaches to give more and more to the players.”
What do you think is the most important thing to impart in young players in order for them to develop into professionals? “First and foremost is to give them the understanding that being a professional player is their dream and in order to reach that level they have to not only dream but also train at a certain standard and develop professionally from a young age. As well as to be aware that they need to continue to work hard to improve and train themselves in knowing what they need to do better in training and in a match as well as doing things outside of the regular training sessions.”
How do you work on improving both yourself and your training ability? “I’m always learning from more experienced coaches than me in the Youth Department and by asking questions and consulting with the professional staff. I also watch video and analyze matches in order to help me understand where the players need to improve.”
Is there a player that trained under you who has succeeded in Israeli football? “The players I have trained are still young and therefore it will take a number of years to see who will succeed. Four years ago, I was part of the Under-19 training staff where Dor Peretz was one of the players who was able to succeed as a professional.”
Role Model: “I teach the players that everyone of them could be a role model. It begins by taking responsibility for the small details off of the pitch and by being a leader and by handling situations on tiger field of play. From a young age, every player needs to develop leadership skills that will to only be able to help himself but also his club.”
Favorite club in the world: “Juventus.”
Unforgettable match: “2006 World Cup Final between France and Italy.”
Something that we don’t know that’s unrelated to football: “I recently got engaged and will marry my fiancee Neta in the near future.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: “To be a First Team coach or coaching in the Under-19 league.”
