The Buzz: Maccabi Tel Aviv coach quits for safety reasons

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Oscar Garcia has quit his job, with the club saying yesterday it was because of the “current security situation” in Israel. The club said Garcia, a former Barcelona midfielder from Spain, will be replaced by Pako Ayestaran, another Spaniard. Ayestaran was previously an assistant coach at Liverpool and Valencia under Rafa Benitez.
Garcia is a former Barcelona youth team coach who began his second stint at Maccabi Tel Aviv in June. He previously coached Maccabi during in the 2012-13 season, leading the team to the 2013 league title before leaving to manage English club Brighton. Garcia’s resignation came two days before the second leg of Maccabi’s Europa League playoff against Greek club Asteras Tripolis, scheduled to be played in Cyprus.