Barak Yitzhaki

Yitzhaki began his senior career at Hapoel Ashkelon and joined Beitar Jerusalem in 2003. He became one of Beitar’s prominent players, scoring 23 goals in 109 appearances through 2007.[1] At the beginning of the 2007/08 season he moved to Belgian club Genk.[1] He returned to Beitar in the summer of 2008 after half a season in Belgium.[5] During the 2008/09 season, he shared the Israeli league’s top-scorer position with 14 goals; in 2009/10 he scored 16 league goals and ranked third among the league’s scorers.[1]

In 2009, Yitzhaki appeared in the State Cup semifinal against Hakoach Amidar Ramat Gan, in which Beitar reached the final through a stoppage-time own goal.[6] In June 2010, he transferred to Maccabi Tel Aviv for a reported $2 million, described at the time as a record fee for an Israeli player moving between domestic teams. He signed a four-year contract.[1]

Yitzhaki’s first season at Maccabi was disrupted by a torn cruciate ligament suffered in the opening round against Maccabi Haifa, an injury that kept him out for almost the entire 2010/11 season. In October 2011, while serving as Maccabi’s striker and captain, he was diagnosed with a tear around the hamstring and expected to miss about a month.[7][8] He played for Maccabi until May 2018, apart from a loan spell at Anorthosis Famagusta in 2012/13.[7]

A notable highlight came in January 2014, when Yitzhaki scored with a bicycle kick in the 70th minute of Maccabi’s 3–1 victory over Maccabi Haifa. The win was Maccabi’s seventh consecutive league victory and its 13th in 16 matches.[4] Yitzhaki later recalled that he had told teammate Eran Zahavi the previous day that he would score a bicycle kick, and said: “I saw the ball coming my way and I just decided to give it a go.”[4]

Yitzhaki represented Israel’s national team, scoring three goals in 19 appearances.[1] In October 2013, coach Eli Gutman recalled him after a four-year absence; his previous appearance had been in September 2009. He was selected among 24 players for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Northern Ireland, following a strong start to Maccabi’s season and a goal in the club’s 2–1 Europa League win over Bordeaux.[9]

His playing honors included three league titles, two State Cups, and three Toto Cups, won with Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv.[1]

Yitzhaki announced his retirement from playing in May 2018, aged 33, and joined Maccabi Tel Aviv’s management as technical director.[5] He said that two serious injuries had cost him valuable years and that he believed it was time to give younger players the opportunity. He also expressed hope that he could repay the club for its support in his new role.[5] At his retirement announcement, he described the decision as strange and sad, but said he believed the time was right for the next chapter.[5]

He served as Maccabi’s interim manager from October to December 2021, between Patrick van Leeuwen’s dismissal and Mladen Krstajić’s appointment. During that spell he collected 14 points from a possible 18, according to the reported tally. He later served as the club’s professional director, leaving the position in May 2023.[1]

Beitar Jerusalem appointed Yitzhaki head coach in February 2024, bringing him back to the club 14 years after he had left as a player. The appointment had originally been planned for the following season but was brought forward after Beitar suffered three consecutive defeats and approached the relegation zone. Yitzhaki signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, with Moshe Ohayon as his assistant.[1][10]

Yitzhaki described the decision as difficult and risky, saying that he felt connected to Beitar. He said conversations with owner Barak Abramov and professional director Almog Cohen persuaded him that the club was the right place for him.[10][11] At his unveiling, he acknowledged the poor situation but said he believed in the squad and wanted the team to commit to a clear approach.[10]

His first objective was to keep Beitar in the top division, which he achieved. By roughly 14 months after his appointment, the team was competing for third place and had reached the State Cup final. A 2025 report characterized his approach as emphasizing high pressing and possession, rather than relying mainly on defensive counterattacks.[12]

In January 2026, Beitar stood top of the Israel Premier League after 19 matchdays and had won six consecutive league matches. The club’s first full season under Yitzhaki had ended in fourth place and with a European qualification spot, but also with a 2–0 defeat to Hapoel Beersheba in the State Cup final.[13] Beitar ultimately finished the 2025/26 season second after a close title race with Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Yitzhaki coached the team in 93 matches from his appointment until the end of that season.[2]

Beitar announced on May 31, 2026, that Yitzhaki would not continue as coach, ending a tenure reported by the club as about two and a half years. Professional director Almog Cohen succeeded him.[2] Yitzhaki’s final season brought a second-place finish, following the earlier fourth-place finish and cup-final appearance in his first full season in charge.[13][14]

On October 20, 2026, Yitzhaki signed a two-year contract to become head coach of Anorthosis Famagusta, returning to a club for which he had played on loan in 2012/13. He had made 23 appearances for the Cypriot side as a player.[3] His appointment followed the dismissal of Nestor El Maestro after six league matches; Anorthosis stood 13th of 14 teams when Yitzhaki took charge.[3]

In an interview about his coaching philosophy, Yitzhaki said he wanted players to learn from his own mistakes and that he would challenge anyone he saw becoming too comfortable, regardless of their status in the team.[15]

Across his playing career, Yitzhaki won three league championships, two State Cups, and three Toto Cups with Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv. He also recorded 19 appearances and three goals for Israel.[1] His later return to Beitar as coach began with successfully keeping the club in the top division.[12] In his first full season, Beitar finished fourth, qualified for European competition, and reached the State Cup final; the following season it finished second after challenging for the league title.[13][2] His October 2026 appointment by Anorthosis extended his coaching career abroad at a club he had previously represented as a player.[3]