Ruaidhrí Higgins could be on the brink of his first managerial move outside Ireland, but the reported destination is certain to attract attention. The former Derry City boss and current Coleraine manager has been linked with Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa, according to football journalist Ben Jacobs.
The story places a familiar name from Irish football at the centre of a potentially significant coaching decision. Higgins has built his reputation through the League of Ireland, international football and Northern Irish domestic success. A move to Israel would represent a major career step, while also raising difficult questions because of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the reaction to Irish figures working in the country.
Sports Ireland: Higgins Emerges As Maccabi Haifa Candidate
Maccabi Haifa are searching for a new head coach after the departure of Barak Bakhar. The club is reportedly hoping to make an appointment during the current international break, with Higgins understood to be among the leading candidates.
Haifa currently sit fifth in the Israeli Premier League, seven points behind leaders Hapoel Tel Aviv. The club’s position means any incoming manager would be expected to improve results quickly while competing under considerable public and sporting scrutiny.
For Higgins, the opportunity would offer a route into a new football environment and a club with major expectations. However, no appointment has been confirmed, and the report remains a link rather than evidence that a formal agreement is close.
A coaching career built in Ireland
Higgins has spent much of the past decade working alongside Stephen Kenny. He first became closely associated with Kenny during their time at Dundalk, where Higgins developed as a coach at Oriel Park.
He later joined Kenny in the Ireland setup before returning to club management with Derry City. His time at the Brandywell brought tangible success, including an FAI Cup triumph and a second-place finish in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Since leaving Derry, Higgins has managed Coleraine. He guided the club to the Irish Cup earlier this summer, further strengthening his credentials in domestic football and placing him on the radar of clubs beyond the island.
Why an Israel move would be controversial
The possibility of Higgins taking charge in Israel would be viewed through more than a footballing lens. Irish supporters have been vocal about clubs and players continuing to operate in the country while the conflict in Gaza continues.
Robbie Keane’s spell with Maccabi Tel Aviv became a particularly divisive issue among Irish football supporters. His time in Israel prompted strong criticism from sections of the public, illustrating how quickly professional decisions in the region can become part of a wider political and moral debate.
Higgins would therefore face a different kind of challenge if he accepted the role. His coaching work would be assessed alongside questions about the club, the league and the wider circumstances surrounding football in Israel.
Maccabi Haifa’s own baggage
Maccabi Haifa have also been connected with controversies involving sections of their support. One incident cited in reports involved a banner displayed during a match against Polish club Raków Częstochowa. The message referenced murderers since 1939, a phrase widely condemned because of its Holocaust reference.
That background would add another layer to the debate surrounding any potential Higgins appointment. While a manager is responsible for footballing matters, joining a club also means becoming associated with its public identity and the conduct surrounding it.
For an Irish coach, particularly one with a strong connection to League of Ireland supporters, the reaction at home could be intense. The decision would likely prompt discussion across Irish football, from supporters and former colleagues to commentators following ireland soccer news and League of Ireland developments.
What happens next?
At this stage, Higgins remains a reported candidate rather than Maccabi Haifa’s confirmed manager. The club’s desire to make an appointment during the international break could mean developments arrive soon, but negotiations, suitability and the wider political context will all influence the outcome.
If Higgins does take the job, it would become one of the most high-profile managerial moves involving a League of Ireland coach in recent years. If he stays at Coleraine, the link will nevertheless underline how his reputation has grown since his days at Dundalk and with the Ireland coaching staff.
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The key takeaway
Ruaidhrí Higgins has earned attention through success at Derry City and Coleraine, but a possible move to Maccabi Haifa would carry implications well beyond the touchline. The next step is to see whether the reported interest develops into a formal offer—and how Higgins weighs a major career opportunity against the likely reaction in Ireland.
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