Klinger scooped up by Hapoel Beersheba

Coach returns to Israel after four years in Cyprus.

By ALLON SINAI
klinger 311 (photo credit: AP)
klinger 311
(photo credit: AP)
After four years in Cyprus, Nir Klinger confirmed he will be back coaching in the Israeli Premier League next season by signing a one-year deal with Hapoel Beersheba on Thursday.
The 43-year-old guided five different teams in his time in Cyprus, but he never managed to repeat the heights he reached in Israel earlier in his career.Klinger led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Premier League title in the 2002/03 season and made history by taking it to the Champions League group stage the following campaign.
However, he left Maccabi in unceremonious fashion in December 2005 and has since been trying to resurrect his managerial career in Cyprus.
“I’m very happy to be back in Israel and especially at a club like Hapoel Beersheba,” Klinger said. “Beersheba is a leading club which can, and should, be at the top of Israeli soccer. I believe that hard work from everyone involved will result in us reaching our targets and finishing among the league’s top clubs.”
Klinger, who made 83 appearances for the Israel national team as a player, began his coaching career in Beersheba, guiding the local Betar team between 2000 and 2002.
“We chose Nir because of his experience, personality and track record in Israel and abroad,” Beersheba owner Alona Barkat said. “We want Hapoel Beersheba to continue its progress and claim its worthy place at the top. We are facing a long and difficult road, but we are all committed to take another step forward in the coming season.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s national team continued on Thursday its preparations for next week’s South American friendlies.
Israel, which faces Uruguay on May 26 before visiting Chile four days later, will be traveling without captain Yossi Benayoun, who is training with the team this week, but has been exempt from the friendly matches so he can rest after a long and demanding season at Liverpool.
Portsmouth defender Tal Ben-Haim will also miss the encounter with an injury.
On Saturday, Hapoel Ramat Gan faces Hapoel Kfar Saba at Rishon Lezion in a one-match playoff, with the winner to play in the Premier League next season.