Southampton Director of Football Les Reed tells Danny Caro what he’s looking forward to most ahead of his first trip to Israel since the Maccabiah Games

Tucked safely deep inside Les Reed’s top bedside table drawer lies something that holds incredible memories and will always hold a special place in his heart.

It is just over seven years since Reed visited Israel where, under his guidance as head coach, Team GB came agonisingly close to winning the gold medal in the Open Football competition. Now he is preparing to return with Southampton in the Europa League.

By his own admission, Israel left an indelible mark on Reed. “The 18th Maccabiah Games were one of the highlights of my career as a coach,” he said.

"It was a new and wonderful experience for me. I enjoyed bonding with the entire GB delegation, not only the football squad.

"It was a great experience for someone from my background that not everyone is fortunate enough to have. I enjoyed the whole event immensely.”

Working closely with manager Jonathan Kestenbaum and Ben Winston, who have since gone on to become a Lord and Emmy winner respectively, GB were beaten by Argentina on penalties in an epic final. It is a match that Reed, 63, has never forgotten.

"Obviously losing the way we did was cruel but it was a great opportunity to try things out in a competitive environment.

"It was an amazing spectacle from start to finish,” he recalled. “Anyone that hasn’t attended the Maccabiah will not realise the importance of the event to the Jewish community around the world.

"The games’ opening ceremony was fantastic to be part of. I have got video clips and get flashbacks every time I have watched the Olympics since.

"It was an incredible learning experience to be part of and to see Jewish athletes have the opportunity to go back to the Holy Land and remember their heritage.”

Reed recalls how he was immersed by culture during a Friday-night dinner at the Kestenbaum household. “Jonathan wanted me to understand the history, culture and heritage of what the Maccabiah was all about. It was eye-opening to learn about the importance of food and drink during the Sabbath and the wider common bond a Jewish family has.

"I guess it’s quite often misunderstood as like all cultures there are different layers. The Jewish religion has different levels which is what makes it really thrive.”

Reed has been working at Southampton since the Maccabiah. He is expecting a sterner test against Hapoel Beer Sheva following his team’s 3-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

"Hapoel have a new young coach and have stepped up in Israel football so we know it will be tough,” he said. “We’ve also asked Celtic to pass on some information following their recent matches in the Champions League.”

Hapoel’s 2-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro can only have impressed the Southampton executive director of football. “I don’t have an in-depth knowledge of Israel football but have always respected it because the players they have produced have always been very meticulous and professional,” he said.

"Hapoel have a new stadium, Champions League facilities and we know it will be like a cauldron over there. It will be a big new challenge for our players and we certainly won’t disrespect them or be complacent. They’re a Champions League team who are unfortunate not to still be in the competition. We will show them as much respect as we would Inter Milan."

Reed recalled “receiving a text from Lord Kestenbaum before I’d even got out of the auditorium”. He said: “I promised myself to go back to Israel. It’s an ambition of mine so I was really pleased when we drew Hapoel."

Regretfully a busy schedule means Reed will be unable to tour the country. “My first trip to Israel exceeded my own expectations. It was quite inspiring to be exposed to it as a non-Jew.

"I've been to three World Cups and European Championship finals. You tend to get wrapped up in the football. All I’ve seen is airports and the stadiums but the Maccabiah gave me the opportunity to meet some great new people.

"The Maccabi boys wanted me to be wowed by it and didn’t over-play it, and it worked. I was absolutely taken aback by pre-camp, the opening ceremony and the atmosphere around the Games, as well as getting the opportunity to see ancient landmarks that I’d read about when I studied classical history.

"The camaraderie we’d built up in the team happens every now and again. I remember having it during my time with Wealdstone FC, Charlton Athletic — when we won the play-off final — and with promotion at Southampton to get into the Premier League. The strong bond between the players and management has an affect on you and is something that stays with you.

"By the end of the trip I’d learnt the Maccabiah is about much more than just the sport, and the trip to Yad Vashem was an added extra.

"No-one should go through life without visiting Jerusalem,” he enthused. “We visited the Western Wall after our final with our medals around our necks. I will never forget the educational aspect of the trip and what it meant to the young Jewish athletes."

The Hapoel match will be sandwiched inbetween Premier League trips to West Ham and defending champions Leicester City.
Reed said: “For me it’s just a football trip this time. We’re hiring a private plane and will leave early the morning after the game. There won’t be much of an opportunity to see the country.

"Southampton sent a team to Israel to check hotels and the stadium and everything has gone well. Hapoel have been very receptive and all our plans are in place.”
Reed was impressed by the standard of football at the Maccabiah and he expressed surprise that only a handful of Jewish players have featured at a higher level since.

"Israel were meant to win the competition in 2009 but we upset them. We’d had a good build-up, trained every week, went to Madrid on a training camp and played some tough friendlies. The squad was very well prepared and between Jonathan, Ben and I we identified good talent which led to a good performance.

"At the time I felt Paul Hakim had all the attributes to go further in the game. The only thing that went against him was his age — if he was 23 rather than 27 — as he was a natural goal-scorer.

"One of the factors stopping more players progressing to a higher level was that many were already successful businessmen preparing for life in the corporate sector. That’s what stops them coming through the normal academy route.

"But that doesn’t mean the talent won’t come through. Maccabi GB is a fantastic organisation as they have all sports for all levels on offer. A lot of our squad did well at non-league or semi-professional level."

Unbeknown to many, Reed’s father played AJY football and attended Brady Youth Club in east London, while his mother was a seamstress for a Jewish company.
Asked about the decline in numbers in grass-roots football, he said: “Maccabi needs a strategy to appeal and leadership to inspire players, not just be consumers of Premier League football.

"I've been engulfed in Southampton since the Maccabiah but hope our silver medal left a legacy for future generations. I also hope they are able to nurture talent in the younger age groups.

"In 2009 we had several very good players already playing at a high level but the strength was the team itself. The Lions’ boys contributed as much as the non-league players.

"We wanted to go all the way and win gold and were disappointed with silver in the end. But it just goes to show that anything is possible if you work hard enough at it.”
Reed was a key member of Kevin Keegan’s staff during his tenure as England manager. He admits he looks at his Maccabiah medal and certificate — in his bedside table — “regularly”. He said: “They used to be in my office along with my favourite framed England shirts — the one signed by David Beckham after the Romania game which we drew and were eliminated from Euro 2000 and the one they wore against Northern Ireland in 2003. Reed also served as a technical consultant to Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez for the match the hosts won against England at Windsor Park. He is also a member of the Pro Game Board and represents the Premier League as a counsellor at the FA.

As an England ambassador he travels with the national senior and youth teams and interacts with the players and manager.
England were criticised for a lacklustre performance in their World Cup qualifier in Slovakia, but Reed believes performances will only improve if the support does.

"We must move away from moaning about the displays and players after every game,” he said. “Results are the most important thing in qualifiers. It’s time the country got behind the team rather than criticised the FA.

"Having travelled with the squad I know the players are desperate to succeed. The team has a bright future as the current group could be around for the next 10 years.
“England were the youngest team at the Euros. We’re in a transitional period and have a new strategy in place to ensure this generation has the opportunity to be very successful. We must be patient and show perseverance as we already have a very good under-21 team."

Meanwhile, Hapoel boss Barak Bakhar insists the Israel champions have nothing to fear next week. “Having beaten Inter Milan, Olympiacos, Celtic and Inter in our European campaign so far, we believe we have the ability to beat most teams and certainly Southampton.”

"I don’t think it is true to say that Inter took us lightly. They threw everything at us in the second half. The victory gives us great confidence for the match against Southampton."

Now that really would be top drawer.