Barak Bakhar Resigns as Maccabi Haifa Coach After 4–0 Defeat

Barak Bakhar resigned as Maccabi Haifa coach on Saturday evening, November 7, after a 4–0 home defeat to Maccabi Netanya at Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa. It was the team's third consecutive league loss, following defeats to Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Bakhar announced his departure during a live post-match television interview. The coach said he had informed club president Yaakov Shahar of his decision and accepted responsibility for the team's position. “The team needs a change,” Bakhar said. He said he had worked hard, received the conditions he needed and had not been forced into decisions. He described a need for new blood and expressed confidence that the club would find a new direction. Supporters called for Bakhar to resign toward the end of the match. After the final whistle, Shahar gathered the players and coaching staff in the dressing room. Haifa has 18 points after ten league rounds and trails first-place Maccabi Tel Aviv by six points. The team has conceded 20 league goals. The resignation ends Bakhar's third spell at the club, which he previously led to three championships and a Champions League group-stage appearance. Haifa's first match after the international break is scheduled away to Bnei Sakhnin at Doha Stadium, followed by home matches against Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Haifa.