Bnei Yehuda secures services of ex-Israel coach Kashtan

Dror Kashtan hopes to prove once more why he’s the country’s most decorated coach.

By ALLON SINAI
Dror Kashtan311 (photo credit: AP)
Dror Kashtan311
(photo credit: AP)
Former Israel coach Dror Kashtan will be back running team affairs in the Premier League next season after agreeing to personal terms with Bnei Yehuda on Wednesday.
After four years of failures with the national team, the 65-year-old will be hoping to prove once more why he’s the country’s most decorated coach, winning an impressive total of six championships and six State Cups since his senior career began more than 33 years ago.
Bnei Yehuda has been impressive under the guidance of Guy Luzon this season, guaranteeing a top-six finish by qualifying for the championship playoffs and reaching the cup semifinals where it will face Ashdod SC in two weeks time.
However, Luzon is expected to be named as the new Israel under-21 coach in the coming months and Bnei Yehuda owner Hezi Magen wasted no time in securing the signing of the biggest name available.
“I think we have managed to bring in the top of the top,” Magen said. “I hope Kashtan can help us take another step forward and that Bnei Yehuda will do well once more next season.”
Bnei Yehuda’s last significant title came way back in 1990 when it wonthe championship, but Magen is hopeful that after two decades Kashtanwill finally bring silverware to Tel Aviv’s Hatikva neighborhood.
“Bnei Yehuda deserves a top coach and I believe that Dror is the right man to add to the club’s resume,” he said.
Kashtan experienced a rough four years as the national team’s boss.Israel failed to reach Euro 2008 and last year only came fourth in its2010 World Cup qualifying group despite being drawn with relativelycomfortable opponents.