Promising Appointment: Sharon Abitan to Coach M.S. Dimona
Introduction to the Coaching Change
M.S. Dimona has officially announced the appointment of Sharon Abitan as their new head coach for the upcoming 2025/26 season. At 51 years old, Abitan takes over a team competing in Liga Alef South, following an impressive stint with Maccabi Yavne where he led the team to the Southern League final last season.
Abitan’s Recent Coaching Success
Sharon Abitan’s coaching journey saw a remarkable return after a hiatus of 1,614 days. He resumed his coaching career on January 3, 2025, with Maccabi Yavne, following the departure of former coach Moshe Shapira. In just his first match in charge, Abitan achieved a 2:1 victory over nstart other than M.S. Dimona, showcasing his potential impact from the outset.
During his tenure at Maccabi Yavne, Abitan secured nine wins, two draws, and four losses from the 18th match week onwards, propelling the team to a commendable fourth place finish with a record of 44 goals scored and 33 conceded.
The Transition and Local Reactions
Despite his successful season, the decision was made not to continue with Abitan and his assistant, Shachaf Peri. This change may have been influenced by pressure from local fans, leading the organization to appoint Stav Elimelech as the new head coach.
This decision comes after Maccabi Yavne finished in 11th place during the 2023/24 season, a performance that likely fueled the call for change in leadership.
Abitan’s Coaching Background
Abitan has a long-standing connection with Israeli football, particularly with Hapoel Beer Sheva, where he served as the youth department’s professional manager and coached the youth team during three different tenures, the last being in the 2019/20 season. His departure from Hapoel Beer Sheva led him to the youth department of Hapoel Kiryat Shmona for the 2022/23 season.
Conclusion
As Sharon Abitan embarks on this new chapter with M.S. Dimona, both the club and its supporters will be keen to see how his history of success can translate into future achievements for the team. The upcoming season promises to bring new challenges and opportunities as Abitan aims to steer Dimona towards success in Liga Alef South