One-time Rangers target Barak Bakhar could be on the move this summer with reports in Israel and Serbia claiming that the Maccabi Haifa coach is set to take over at Red Star Belgrade.
Top of the Serbian SuperLiga once again, the team alternatively known as ‘Crvena Zvezda’ are on track to taste domestic glory for a sixth successive campaign. The seemingly inevitable appointment of Bakhar, meanwhile, is unlikely to come as a much of a relief to any of Red Star’s rivals.
Bakhar, after all, is a bit of as silverware magnet himself. One of the game’s more underrated tacticians has accumulated no fewer than ten trophies already at the age of just 43.
His Maccabi Haifa side are sitting pretty at the summit of Israel’s first division too. Bakhar may be about bring the curtain down on his superb spell at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in rather fitting style.
Bakhar, according to Israeli publication Sports Walla, is likely to be leading the charge at Red Star Belgrade in 2023/23. Tanjung, a website based in Serbia, backs up those claims; officials working on behalf of Red Star spotted in Israel.
Rangers wanted Barak Bakhar to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst
“I don’t know him personally. But the achievements speak for themselves,” says Djordje Jovanovic, a Serbian striker playing in Israel for Maccabi Tel Aviv (Mondo).
“He has won five championships in the last seven seasons, and now leads the table. These are the facts. There is no doubt that he is an excellent tactician. His teams play open and always with an offensive approach.
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“The game is different in Israel compared to Serbia. The pitches are in much better condition. When a small team plays against Red Star, they try to kill the game and waste every second.”
Rangers, after sacking Giovanni van Bronckhorst following a dismal Champions League campaign and a humiliating Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic, reportedly launched an enquiry about Bakhar’s availability before opting to bring Mick Beale back to Ibrox instead.
“It’s flattering,” Bakhar said at the time.
“(But) I don’t care (if the rumours of Rangers’ interest) are true or not. In any case, right now it’s not relevant.”
Beale may not have Bakhar’s proven track record when it comes to winning titles. But his numbers since taking the top job at Rangers are not to be sniffed at. The Gers, in all competitions, have won 18 games out of 20 under Steven Gerrard’s former assistant. Though that cup final defeat to Celtic still rankles, and will do for some time.
