Luis Fernandez, the former star midfielder for the French national soccer team, was named coach of the Israeli national squad on Sunday.
Following a meeting with Israel Football Association head Avi Luzon, it was agreed that Fernandez will sign a one-and-a-half-year contract worth 488,000 euros (about $660,000).
The contract obligates Fernandez, who coached Beitar Jerusalem during the 2005-6 season, to follow the advancement of Israeli players during league and cup matches.
Fernandez, 50, was selected to head the Israeli national team in part due to his relatively low salary demands and in light of the fact that he had already coached in the country.
Fernandez during his stint in Beitar Jerusalem (Photo: Reuven Schwartz)
"Fernandez is the best choice (out of all the candidates)," Luzon told a press conference in Ramat Gan, while Fernandez himself said, "I am very familiar with the (Israeli) league and its players. Israeli soccer has improved. I'll try to succeed where my predecessors have failed and help the national team qualify to the European Championship.
"But what's for sure is that I'll be calmer this time around," the Frenchman joked.
As head coach of Paris Saint-Germain in 1995, Fernandez won the French league cup (Coupe de la Ligue) as well as the prestigious European Cup Winners Cup.
In the late 90s he also led Athletic Bilbao from the Spanish La Liga to a historic appearance in the Champions League.
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