Soccer / Staying on the sideline

Saturday's match against Montenegro is the main thing on Motti Ivanir's mind, but it's hard these days for the national under-21 coach to fantasize about heading up the men's squad. While a victory in the group-six opener could help propel the team to its second appearance in the European finals under Ivanir, a win could also propel his candidacy to succeed Dror Kashtan.

"The fact that all previous national teams failed doesn't make me more motivated," Ivanir told Haaretz this week. "Everything that has happened with the previous teams is disappointing, but it means nothing to me. The goal is the same - to reach the playoff games, get through them and go far in the European championship. I don't feel like I'm carrying the weight of Israeli soccer on my shoulders."

Do you think the function of a super-coach for the national youth teams should be restored?

"Unequivocally, yes. We missed out a lot over the past two years. We didn't advance to any tournament, and we sank in the rankings. Coaches have to cooperate. Someone has to coordinate from above. Undoubtedly, when you meet and consult with other coaches, it helps the coach and the squads. Except for Eli Ohana, who replaced me on the under-19 team, I have had almost no contact and hardly exchanged a word with Tal Benin and Alon Hazan from the youth teams."

What do you think about the idea of appointing a foreigner to coach the men's team?

"I don't rule out a foreign coach, on condition he be modern and at a high level. Any foreign coach who comes here, even the best, should have at his side an Israeli coach who knows the players and how to connect with them. I wouldn't rule out an Israeli coach either, but I only see one or two worthy of the job."

Are you one of them?

"All that interests me now is Saturday's game in Montenegro. My mind is busy preparing for this match and not for anything in the future. Beyond that, I don't make decisions. The Israel Football Association has a chairman, and he is the one who decides."

But are you qualified for the job?

"Certainly. I really want to be the team's coach, but if the chairman decides that I should remain with the youth, I'll do it with love. After working with the under-19s and the under-21s, I'm the best in the country and most familiar with the young Israeli soccer player. I know what he needs to succeed, and I know how to push him up to European levels. I feel I improved coaching the national teams."

Would you consider being assistant coach a promotion for you?

"Of course, it would be a great honor for me, but at the same time I want to contribute more. An assistant coach also gets a monthly salary, so why receive a salary and work [some of the time]? I think youth coaches should take on more tasks."

Does working several years with the national teams give you an advantage relative to other coaches in the race for the job?

"It's true my name has come up as an option for the men's team, and that my stock is on the rise, but I'm realistic. I know that one loss from an own goal or referee's mistake in Montenegro and it will all fall apart. Right now I'm a European coach in every respect, but one stumble ends my candidacy, and the press will start sharpening its knives and declare how awful a coach I am. I'm not rushing off anywhere."