It’s no secret that Maccabi Electra basketball club is one of the most famous clubs in Europe with huge crowd, history and achievements. During late 90’s and the first years of the new millennium Maccabi was one of the power houses of the European basketball. From 1999-2008 Maccabi participated in 6 final fours and won 3 Euroleague/Suproleague cups. Maccabi was well known for good organization, stable coaching stuff and player’s roster. So what happened to this club in the last two years?
So what caused all that? The truth lies somewhere in 2006 after the painful defeat to Messina’s Machine in the 2005-2006 final in Prague, the teams unquestionable star, Anthony Parker left the club for the NBA after 5 successful seasons in Maccabi, with him left coach Gershon and all most half of the teams roster. Maccabi management signs Spahija as head coach during the summer after the last beat Maccabi twice during the season. Spahija had problems signing top level players as he wanted (Marcus Haislip, Zoran Planinic) to fill up the gaps of those who left, due to a conflict between Israel and Lebanon during the summer. Maccabi suffered from what seems to be their own success, with the roster they had that season it was a difficult task to reconstruct the last years achievements. Maccabi management seemed to be under great pressure and decided to say good bye to probably the one coach that could have rebuilt the team.
In 2007-2008 Maccabi tried to get back on track by signing new young coach, ex Maccabi player, Oded Katash. The task was too big on Oded shoulders who seemed to be one who can’t handle the hardships of such a big club, once again after several loses in the European league and the domestic league Katsh resigned (some say got fired) and coach Sherf got the job, leading Maccabi to finals in Madrid, but losing home championship and domestic cup. Once again Maccabi management fired Sherf and the story went much a like this season with Efi Birnboim and replacing him with coach Gershon.
It seems to be that Maccabi greatest problem lies within the club’s management, the same management who brought players like Parker, Saras, Mcdonald and was known for stability is the same management the have 5 coached in 3 years, unknown number of players sign and released and creating a working environment so presses that only few can handle the pressure.
What next? Well Maccabi got one of the best coached in Europe for the next two years, but as we learned nothing is sure with the yellows from Tel Aviv.
