Fernández brought back by Beitar

Fernández returns
Having beaten Wisła 2-1 in the home leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie, Beitar needed only to avoid defeat in Poland to earn a tie against FC Barcelona and at worst ensure a UEFA Cup first round place, but that was not to be and there were questions as to whether Itzhak Shum would remain at the helm despite having led the club to a domestic double in his first season in charge last term. However, rather than replace Shum, Gaydamak turned to former French international Luis Fernández, coach at Beitar in 2005/06, as the new director of football after Giyora Spiegel's decision to step down on Sunday.

Shum continues
"Fernández brings with him a lot of strength and experience and he will work alongside Itzhak Shum to make a good team better," Gaydamak said. "I spoke to both Luis and to Shum and both agreed to these changes. It would have been an easy, popular decision to fire Shum but I don't think it would have been a wise move as he won the league and cup double."

European exit
Shum aided his cause on Saturday when Beitar scored an added-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 Toto Cup draw at Maccabi Haifa FC after a gritty performance that suggests there is reason for optimism when Beitar begin the defence of their league title on 30 August at Bnei Sakhnin FC. Former Panathinaikos FC coach Shum admitted there had been some dark times after their UEFA Champions League exit. "They weren't the most pleasant of days as we suffered a heavy defeat and are getting used to the idea of not playing in Europe," Shum said. "As for my position, I worked alongside Giyora Spiegel and will continue working and doing what I am doing alongside Luis Fernández. As far as I am concerned there is hardly any change at all."

Squad changes
While admitting that the European defeat could lead to a reduction in squad numbers, with Ghanian midfielder Derek Boateng, goalkeeper Tvrtko Kalle and newly acquired striker Sebastian Abreu among those rumoured to be leaving, Gaydamak is optimistic that the combination of the present and former coaches will be fruitful, and could yet yield his dream of seeing his side in the UEFA Champions League proper. "Fernández is a big name in Europe and Shum is as well," Gaydamak said. "So I don't see why both can't work together. I leave it to them as to how they work it out. What I also leave to them is every decision concerning the squad."