Amir Turgeman

Turgeman began his playing career at Ironi Ashdod, working his way up through the lower divisions of Israeli football.[1] He was part of the Ironi Ashdod generation that achieved promotion to the top division, contributing significantly to that campaign — in one successful promotion season he scored 20 goals.[1] He credited coach Sasha Telsnikovic's training methods and emphasis on discipline with helping develop the team.[1]

During an initial stint associated with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Turgeman played in the club's youth and boys' teams, suffered a broken leg, and later scored nine or ten goals in eight youth-team matches.[1] Maccabi Tel Aviv had initially agreed to pay Ironi Ashdod 40,000 dollars after four years, but ultimately released him and he returned to Ashdod.[1]

After his second spell at Ironi Ashdod, Turgeman received offers from both Hapoel Haifa and Maccabi Haifa before choosing Hapoel Haifa.[1] There he featured in European competition against Club Brugge and Ajax. He scored against Club Brugge in a 3–1 home victory and then added the decisive goal in the return match, which ended 4–2.[1] Against Ajax, Hapoel Haifa lost one match 3–0 but won the other 1–0 after changing its tactical approach.[1] He also had a spell at Maccabi Haifa, where he scored approximately seven goals.[1]

Turgeman later joined Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he added silverware to his career. He won the State Cup with the club during the 2000/01 season and was part of the squad that claimed the league championship in a tightly contested 2002/03 campaign. Turgeman recalled a photo-finish title race and approximately 38,000 spectators at the decisive match.[1] Over the course of his playing career he also represented Beitar Jerusalem, M.S. Ashdod, and Hakoah Ramat Gan, for whom he scored 14 significant goals in a promotion campaign.[1] His total career tally reached 241 goals.[1]

Turgeman described his playing style as relying on speed, agility, intelligent movement, and an ability to find space rather than attempting to overpower taller and stronger defenders.[1]

Turgeman was called into Israel's national squad for a European Nations' Championship qualifying match in Zabrze, Poland, in April 1995, while he was playing for Ironi Ashdod.[2] He was drafted into the 18-man traveling group to reinforce the squad after Ronnen Harazi was ruled out through injury, with Ofer Mizrahi considered the favorite to fill the center-forward role.[2]

He subsequently earned further international recognition during his time at Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was selected for Israel's squad for a Euro 2004 qualifying match against Cyprus while in strong club form, having participated in only one national-team training session since his first call-up.[3] Turgeman also started up front for Israel in a Euro 2004 qualifying match against France in Palermo, replacing Michael Zandberg as Israel switched to a 4–4–2 formation; Omri Afek started in midfield.[4]

After retiring as a player, Turgeman transitioned into coaching within Maccabi Tel Aviv's youth department, where by December 2011 he was identified as the successful coach of the club's youth team.[5] Maccabi Tel Aviv was at that stage considering appointing him assistant coach of the senior team under Nir Levin, who also served as professional director of the youth department.[5]

He went on to coach Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramla — an affiliate or reserve team connected to Maccabi Tel Aviv — describing two particularly successful seasons there.[1] His subsequent head-coaching roles included stints at M.S. Ashdod, Bnei Sakhnin, Sekzia Ness Ziona, and Hapoel Kfar Saba.[1] At M.S. Ashdod he reached the Premier League, though his tenure at Bnei Sakhnin ended after approximately two or three months, a period he described as especially difficult.[6]

At Sekzia Ness Ziona, Turgeman was dismissed mid-season, one day before the end of the transfer window, with his assistant Eran Belfer temporarily taking charge for two matches.[7] Belfer said the team was one point from safety and cited victories over Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Netanya, and Bnei Yehuda, as well as a draw with Maccabi Tel Aviv.[7] Turgeman separately said Ness Ziona had worked with a budget of 3.5 million shekels and had come within one point of safety.[8]

His stint at Hapoel Kfar Saba lasted ten months; he said the club had secured its Premier League status the previous season through a strong lower playoff, but he was dismissed after his position had reportedly been uncertain for nearly a month and a half.[8] He had been reappointed just four days after the previous league season ended.[8]

On his coaching ambitions, Turgeman said: "I know I can reach the Premier League and beyond that, but it is a matter of decision."[1]

In a 2025 interview, Turgeman described stepping back from coaching to build greater financial stability after years of managerial instability.[6] He established two football schools and an apartment-rental business in Eilat, explaining that the cycle of dismissals and job searches every four or five months had prompted him to diversify his income.[6] He nonetheless expressed a desire to eventually return to coaching.[6]

Turgeman's playing career combined a total of 241 goals with promotion campaigns at Ironi Ashdod and Hakoah Ramat Gan, European appearances with Hapoel Haifa, and State Cup and league titles with Maccabi Tel Aviv.[1] His post-playing career extended his involvement in Israeli football into youth development and senior coaching, beginning in Maccabi Tel Aviv's youth department and continuing through roles at several professional clubs.[5][1]