New owner promises Maccabi revival

New Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC owner Alex Schneider says he will not be satisfied until he has re-established the 18-times Ligat Ha'Al champions on the European stage.

Controlling stake
Schneider recently acquired an 80 per cent stake in Maccabi, replacing Lonnie Hertzikovic who had spent 12 years at the helm. His new charges – a club also with 22 Israeli Cups to their name – are without domestic silverware since 2004/05, so there is work to be done.

Group-stage appearance
That final triumph, in the cup, came at the end of a season that saw Maccabi play among Europe's élite in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Their six matches yielded four points as Maccabi finished bottom of their section, but supporters did witness a home victory over AFC Ajax and a creditable draw with Juventus. Subsequently, though, a UEFA Cup second qualifying round appearance in 2005/06 is the best they can boast.

'Here to stay'
"I am here for the long haul and have no intention of leaving before we not only reach Europe but achieve success there," said Schneider, a Ukrainian-born, Canadian-based metal trader. "Every Israeli child has two dreams. My first dream was to be a footballer and the second was to buy a football club. I failed with the first so all I had left was the second."

Youth programme
To restore Maccabi to former glories while helping Israel's next generation achieve what Schneider failed to do, the former owner of the Jordan Formula 1 team is putting his faith in youth. Schneider has instructed the club management to visit the Netherlands and learn from Ajax about how to build a strong academy. "You have to invest in youth," said Schneider, whose side are eighth in the 12-team table.

Precedent
Maccabi become the second top-flight outfit to be bought by a former Soviet Union tycoon. Following Arkady Gaydamak's takeover of Beitar Jerusalem FC in 2005, that club captured the title last term and appear poised to defend their crown, holding a seven-point lead at the summit. Schneider will aim to replicate such success and revive the hopes of thousands of supporters.