Maccabi Tel Aviv have pulled the trigger on a managerial change, bringing in Ronny Deila as their new head coach through the end of the season. The 50-year-old Norwegian arrives at Kiryat Shalom with an impressive resume that includes trophy-winning spells across multiple continents.
Deila isn't your typical journeyman manager. He's got silverware from Norway, Scotland, and the United States under his belt. Most notably, he led Celtic to back-to-back Scottish titles in 2014/15 and 2015/16, plus a League Cup. His crowning achievement? Guiding New York City FC to their first-ever MLS Cup in 2021.
The Norwegian's playing days were spent in his homeland as a central defender, racking up over 350 professional appearances. He's since managed clubs in Belgium (Standard Liege, Club Brugge) and the UAE (Al Wahda), most recently coaching Atlanta United in MLS before this move.
What Deila Plans to Change
At his opening press conference, Deila didn't waste time identifying areas for improvement. He wants Maccabi to play more direct football with dangerous counterattacks. Defensively, he's demanding better reactions from his players.
"I see good work that has been done before, and I will take some of those things going forward," Deila said. "I'm here to get the best out of the players."
The timing is crucial for Maccabi's title hopes. With 16 matches remaining in the season—six in the regular season and 10 in the Championship Playoffs—Deila sees this as an attacking opportunity. "There are 48 points to fight about and that's a lot of points and something to attack," he emphasized.
Deila replaces Zarko Lazetic, who was sacked following last week's derby defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv. For bettors watching the Israeli Premier League title race, this managerial change could be significant. Maccabi currently sit in a challenging position, but with 48 points still available, they're not out of the fight yet.
The Contract and Transfer Plans
Both parties agreed to a short-term deal with flexibility built in. If things click between Deila and Maccabi, there's room to extend. If not, both sides can move on without complications.
The winter transfer window is nearly closed, but Maccabi have already added Emir Sahiti on loan from Hamburg. Deila seems content with his squad for now. "We have a lot of good players," he stated. "I trust the people around me to do the best for the team."
Owner Mitch Goldhar praised the appointment, saying Deila "brings a proven track record, significant experience, and strong leadership qualities."
When asked about the political situation between Norway and Israel, Deila kept it strictly professional. "I'm here to do a football job, and I'm not a politician. I don't think politics and sports should be combined. I want to focus on the football side."
The bottom line? Maccabi have brought in a proven winner who knows how to turn seasons around. With the Championship Playoffs approaching, expect this team to look different under Deila's direct, attacking approach. The title race just got more interesting.
