In an announcement on Thursday morning, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv named Erez Edelstein, the current Israeli national team head coach, as the newest boss of its own bench for the upcoming Turkish Airlines Euroleague season.

Edelstein, 54, takes over for Zan Tabak, who joined the club during last season and was let go on Wednesday. One of the most-respected coaches in Israel, Edelstein will coach in the Euroleague for the first time with Maccabi, though he did serve as Pini Gershon’s assistant coach at Olympiacos Piraeus a decade ago. Edelstein has previously found success with Hapoel Jerusalem, which he led to the Eurocup semifinals in 2006. He also has coached Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Galil Elyon and Maccabi Ramat Gan. Last summer he guided Israel into the round of 16 at EuroBasket 2015 before falling to Italy.

“I am excited to join Maccabi Tel Aviv, a club whose commitment to action and success is great,” Edelstein said. “It is a tremendous honor for me to join the list of great coaches that led Maccabi to its unforgettable national and international level. I have received tremendous support and an amazing response from all sides, and I’m excited and ready for the task.”

Maccabi said in its announcement that Edelstein will continue coaching Israel’s national team while taking on his duties with the club.

“We are proud to go forward on a new path,” Maccabi president Shimon Mizrahi said. “We trust in our team’s loyalty and professionalism, and we are convinced that Erez will lead us to the heights we are used to.”

Source: Euroleague.net