Beersheba strengthens squad in hopes of realizing big dreams

By ALLON SINAI
Ironi Kiryat Shmona coach Barak Bachar (photo credit: DANNY MARON)
Ironi Kiryat Shmona coach Barak Bachar
(photo credit: DANNY MARON)
Hapoel Beersheba coach Barak Bachar said on Wednesday that the team has its sights set on becoming the biggest club in Israel. Bachar was speaking in a press conference held ahead of Sunday’s match against Beitar Jerusalem, and shortly before Beersheba completed the signing of Vova Broun from Ironi Kiryat Shmona for NIS 1.9 million.
Despite leading the Premier League standings by one point ahead of threetime defending champion Maccabi Tel Aviv after going unbeaten in its past 14 matches, a streak which includes 12 wins, Beersheba looked to strengthen its squad in the January transfer window and eventually did so by signing long-time target Broun.
The 26-year-old midfielder played for Kiryat Shmona for the past two-and-ahalf years, including two seasons under Bachar.
Bachar hoped to bring Broun with him to Beersheba last summer, but had to wait until Wednesday to complete the deal.
Beersheba isn’t expected to make any additional signings before the close of the transfer window, with Bachar believing he has a squad capable of ending the team’s 40-year wait for a championship.
“We waited patiently to bring in someone who will fit this club and deserve to be part of it,” Bachar said on Wednesday.
“I know what he can do and he fits our squad. Every player wants to play for a big club, and Beersheba has reached that level. We are aspiring to become the biggest club in Israel and we are heading in the right direction.”
Broun will be available to play against Beitar, but is expected to start on the bench. “I don’t think it will take me long to settle,” he said. “I need to work hard to prove myself, but I’m not here just to sit on the bench. The most important thing is that the club wins titles. I’m a small piece that was missing from the squad.”
Elsewhere Wednesday, Menahem Koretzki was named as Maccabi Netanya’s new head coach. Koretzki left Hapoel Petah Tikva of the National League a day after guiding the team to a 2-0 win over Ahi Nazareth that took it to the top of the standings. Netanya is in last place, nine points from safety, after winning just one of 19 matches to date.
“There is no reason we shouldn’t manage to survive,” said Koretzki, who is Netanya’s third coach of the season after Shlomi Dora and Reuven Atar were sacked.