JERUSALEM, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Football Association (IFA) on Monday announced the appointment of Ran Ben Shimon as coach of the country's national team on a four-year contract.

The 53-year-old Israeli previously coached the national team of Cyprus, as well as seven Israeli clubs.

Ben Shimon currently coaches AEK Larnaca, returning this season for a second spell in charge after 11 years.

With one round left in the Cypriot First Division, AEK sit in second place, just one point behind leaders APOEL Nicosia.

As a head coach, Ben Shimon won one championship title after leading Hapoel Kiryat Shmona to the top of the Israeli Premier League for the first time in the club's history.

As a player, Ben Shimon won 34 caps for Israel and played for four Israeli clubs, including Hapoel Haifa, with whom he won the club's only championship title in 1999.

Ben Shimon will replace Alon Hazan, who left his post late last month, and will work without a supervising general manager after Yossi Benayoun's contract was not extended either.

"His knowledge, belief and passion were a major factor in our trust in Ben Shimon," said IFA chairman Moshe Zuares. "His main goal is taking Israel to the Euro 2028 tournament." Enditem

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