Gutman stands by his decision to drop Benayoun
10/10/2012 04:31
Israel coach explains at length his decision to drop captain Yossi Benayoun from the national team’s squad.
ISRAEL COACH Eli Gutman Photo: Adi Avishai
Israel coach Eli Gutman was in a reflective mood on Tuesday evening as he
explained his decision to drop captain Yossi Benayoun from the national team’s
squad for its upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against
Luxembourg.
Gutman spoke candidly, and at length, at the blue-and-white’s
training complex in Shefayim about the position he finds himself in after Israel
saw its hopes of qualifying for the World Cup disintegrate following a draw in
Azerbaijan and a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Russia at National
Stadium in Ramat Gan last month.
“We lost our honor against Russia, both
with the result and the performance,” Gutman said. “We are entering the two
qualifiers against Luxembourg with the aim of regaining our honor and my players
are united and understand what rests on their shoulders.”
Gutman was
widely expected to make changes to his squad ahead of the upcoming matches
against Luxembourg, on the road on Friday and at home next
Tuesday.
However, he surprised everyone by completely overhauling the
team, dropping the likes of Yossi Benayoun, Tal Ben-Haim, Itay Shechter and Ben
Sahar due to their lack of playing time for their respected club
sides.
“One of my conclusions from the first two qualifiers was that
there is no substitute for playing time,” Gutman said. “That includes Benayoun
and any other player regardless of his name. Benayoun is undoubtedly one of the
greatest players in Israeli soccer history and I therefore gave him the respect
he deserves by calling him and personally letting him know of my
decision.”
Gutman revealed that Benayoun was far from happy with the
news.
“Yossi accepted it, but he wasn’t pleased about it,” he said. “He
let me understand that he really wants to play for the national team, but he
accepted the decision.
“I’m not looking to hurt anyone. This is a totally
professional decision.”
Gutman also dispelled any notion that he will
quit should Israel fail to defeat Luxembourg in both qualifiers.
“I
expected to pick up four points from our first two matches, but we failed and
that was disappointing,” Gutman admitted. “However, that only gives me more
motivation and energy. I will judge my work at the end of the
campaign.
“When I sign a contract I complete it. I am the Israel coach
until the end of the campaign regardless of how many points we collect.”