Local Soccer: Berkovic up for Betar coaching job

Legendary midfielder meets with chairman Itzik Kornfein.

eyal berkovic 88 (photo credit: )
eyal berkovic 88
(photo credit: )
Will Eyal Berkovic be Betar Jerusalem's next coach? The legendary midfielder met with Betar chairman Itzik Kornfein on Tuesday after which Betar announced that the two discussed ways in which the sides could collaborate. Kornfein raised the possibility that Berkovic will coach the team next season, but no offer was tabled and the two agreed to discuss the matter further in the future. Berkovic, 37, is widely regarded as one of Israel's greatest ever soccer players. He began his career with Maccabi Haifa in 1990 and won a league and cup double in his first season with the team. The midfielder played a further five seasons for Maccabi Haifa before joining English premier league side Southampton in the 1995/96 season. After a single season with Southampton, Berkovic moved to West Ham United. Berkovic left West Ham after a couple of seasons for Scottish giants Celtic for a then Scottish record fee of £5.75 million. Berkovic, who recorded 78 appearances and scored nine goals for the Israel national team, would also go on to play for Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Portsmouth, before eventually deciding to return to Israel to end his career at Maccabi Tel Aviv. He has no top level coaching experience and most recently opened a soccer school for youngsters. Meanwhile, Kornfein also met with Maccabi Haifa CEO Itamar Chizik on Tuesday, with Haifa reportedly interested in signing several Betar players, including Barak Itzhaki and Aviram Bruchian.