JERUSALEM, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli manager Dror Kashtan, who won the most titles in the country's football history, and head coached the national team, passed away at the age of 79.

Kashtan's 38-year head coaching career, between 1975 and 2013, includes stints with all major Israeli clubs, securing six league championship titles, three of which were achieved with Beitar Jerusalem. Additionally, he clinched six state cups, three league cups, and three Israeli super cups.

Kashtan's most notable achievement in the international arena was in 2002 when he led the Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv to the UEFA Cup quarterfinals after surprisingly overcoming Gaziantepspor, Chelsea, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Parma on the way.

He coached the Israeli national team between 2006 and 2010, during which the national team rose to 15th place in the FIFA rankings, Israel's highest of all time.

"We bid farewell to a prominent and successful national figure who shaped and was a significant part of the development of Israeli football," said Israeli Sports Minister Miki Zohar, "Kashtan's legacy and contribution to the country's sports will remain forever." Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)