Maccabi Tel-Aviv is close to big changes. Israeli media reports that a head coach Effi Birenboim and three players could be on their way out. Birenboim took charge of Maccabi last summer after the resignation of Zvika Sherf. The Yellows are 2-2 in Euroleague and 3-1 in Israeli league after losing against Hapoel Jerusalem.
There are many candidates to replace Birenboim, according to Israeli media. Pini Gershon, Sharon Drucker, Zvika Sherf, Mickey Dorsman, Erez Edelstein, Dan Shamir and Bozidar Maljkovic are the names speculated in the news.
Pini Gershon is in charge of Bulgaria national team. He helped them reach Eurobasket 2009 in Poland.
Sharon Drucker returned to his former club Oostende. When discussing his contract with the Belgian side Drucker asked for a release clause which might come handy at this time.
Zvika Sherf is also a possible replacement for Effi Birenboim. Sherf is currently coaching Israel national team. He lead Maccabi to Euroleague final last season.
Mickey Dorsman made a name for himself last season by winning Israeli league with Hapoel Holon and ending Maccabi Tel-Aviv hegemony.
Erez Edelstein faced Maccabi this week. He's the head coach of Hapoel Jerusalem. His side defeated The Yellows in their first meeting this season.
Dan Shamir is working as an assitant coach at Dynamo Moscow. He was brought there by David Blatt.
Bozidar Maljkovic previously worked in Spain but hasn't coached any club since 2007 when he worked with TAU Ceramica.
Jason Williams and Chester Simmons were brought to the team by Effi Birenboim and they could soon be left looking for a new job. Simmons averages 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in Euroleague. Jason Williams is less impressive with 5 points per game.
The third player who shoul leave Tel-Aviv is Esteban Batista. 25-year-old Uruguayan center was close to leaving Maccabi last summer but eventually stayed. Finding a new club shouldn't be a problem for him as a few teams expressed interest in him already.
Elton Brown who helped Hapoel Holon steal Israeli title from Maccabi is rumoured as a candidate to replace Batista.
