Ozzy Neav

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv appeared destined for a series of lean years. A patch work like line up, a depleted youth system and an owner who was the epitome of frugality (or just plain bankrupt if you believe the rumors). The Maccabees have been envious of Beitar Jerusalem’s riches and of Maccabi Haifa’s stability. However, the heroes of myth and legend have the uncanny knack of timing and it appears that their modern equivalents are just as punctual.

Alexander Schneider heard the calls of desperation and anger from the Maccabi faithful in far away Canada and made both a dramatic and possibly hugely consequential purchase of Israel’s most historic club. Fans dubbed him a hero even before he set foot on Israeli soil. But who is Alexander Schneider and is the term “hero” at this early stage just a little impulsive?

Schneider hails from the great white north of Canada, of Russian-Jewish extraction, he is a fabulously wealthy financier and business man. An Israeli sports-business analyst estimated Schneider’s wealth at hovering somewhere around two billion dollars mark. Unlike fellow Russian oligarch Arkady Gaidamack (the owner of Beitar Jerusalem), Schneider’s arrival was void of bluster and propaganda. He left as quietly as he arrived, granting but a handful of interviews and attending just one single match.

This seemingly shady maneuvering has shrouded Schneider with an aura of mystique and many fans, commentators and journalists are left to speculate on his plans and motivation for buying the team. Uefa.com has reported that Schneider is planning to be part of Maccabi long term. "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. Yet one is still forced to speculate what Mr. Schneider’s true intentions are and, importantly, just how he plans to implement them?

When asked by the Israeli media if his financial intentions were to spend Gaidamack like money, Schneider expertly evaded the question. Like a skilled politician, Schneider has kept his plans a mystery and only ventured that Maccabi will be a competitive side next season. This answer did not exactly raise the Maccabee’s spirits. Rumours in the media, as well as in professional circles, have been running rampant that Schneider is able but unwilling to part with the money required to construct a team to contend with the Israeli Premier League leaders, Beitar. At the time of writing, Beitar’s annual budget was approximately $30M, compared to only $12M for Maccabi.

Many critics believe that $30M is above and beyond the financial level required to compete and effectively dominate the IPL. Were we to agree with that train of thought, it would appear to be financially feasible for Schneider to invest a substantial, but not ludicrous amount of money in order to make the club competitive. Surely a budget in the realm of $20M is not out of the question for a man of his economic resources? All this speculation aside however, how this will play out next season with Schneider running the show is still anybody’s guess.

If Schneider is under the impression that Maccabi supporters will accept anything less than a mega budget for next season, he is delusional. Their optimism grew considerably when part owner of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and majority owner of their sister basketball side David Federmann proclaimed "Everybody showed a willingness to complete the deal. This is a very great day for Maccabi Tel Aviv, I feel very happy for the fans."  While this excitement holds some merit, anything under a $20M budget and a slow start out of the gate will undoubtedly have fans calling for Schneider’s head. Unlike some other Europeans clubs, where the owner is never ridiculed or accused for a club’s lackluster performance, Israeli fans hold no such reservations. Schneider will receive a professional and social roasting, ungrateful as it may seem. It is this entitlement philosophy that has this writer worried. Even with the abundance of financially affluent Jews abroad, they haven’t lined up in droves to support Israeli Football. In fact, there are much greener and more fertile landscapes elsewhere. Ever heard of Roman Abramovich or Alexander Gaidamack?

Israeli Football fans should exercise some patience and keep their composure, or Schneider’s private jet may depart as quickly as it arrived. While we may demand that Maccabi fans present a cultured and polite reception for Schneider next year, we may also reasonably demand that Schneider realise which bed he is getting himself into. When an owner states "you have to invest in youth," Israelis tend to translate such talk into “I’m keeping a padlock on my purse.” This of course can be considered nonsense, but “sense” has never held much sway in Israeli Football.     

There is little anonymity in Israeli public life and flying under the radar is not an option. Schneider needs to jump in with both feet as the new ruler of Israel’s most prestigious club, or save himself and Israel the heartache, misunderstanding and frustration by staying home.