JERUSALEM, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday announced the appointment of Spain's Aitor Karanka as head coach in place of Serbia's Vladimir Ivic who left for Russia's FC Krasnodar.

The 49-year-old Basque, who signed a 1.5-year contract with Maccabi, began his managerial career as coach of the Spanish U-16 national team, and then served three years as Jose Mourinho's assistant coach at Real Madrid.

He then coached in England between 2013 and 2021, at Middlesbrough, which promoted to the Premier League in 2016, Nottingham Forest, and Birmingham City, and began the current season at Spain's Granada CF of La Liga 2.

His playing career includes Real Madrid, with whom he won the La Liga championship title in 2001, Athletic Bilbao, and the Colorado Rapids of the MLS.

"I will give everything to help develop the team, keep Maccabi Tel Aviv moving forward and make the supporters proud," Karanka said.

"Karanka comes with the experience, both as a player and a coach, as well as the necessary hunger to achieve results," said Maccabi's owner Mitch Goldhar.

The change of coaches at Maccabi took place as the team stands in second place in the Israeli Premier League, six points behind the champion Maccabi Haifa after 16 rounds. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)