BySimon Griver, Simon Griver
Eli Guttman has been handed a two-year contract extension to lead Israel into the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
With the number of teams qualifying for the finals in France increased from 16 to 24, Guttman immediately acknowledged that Israel can be expected to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time since the 1970 World Cup.
"It's clear that if we don’t qualify for the Euro 2016 finals then that will be a failure," said Guttman.
"I believe in my ability to take the players available to Israel and get them into the finals."
Guttman, 55, won Ligat Ha’Al titles with Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv before being appointed manager of Israel in 2011. The IFA have shown faith in the man under whom the national team finished third in their World Cup qualifying group, behind Brazil-bound Russia and Portugal.
Guttman will reportedly earn £9,000 a month from his new contract, with Israel’s next match a friendly at home to Slovakia.