Guttman to quit ahead of dauntingWorldCupdraw
FOOTBALL ELI Guttman will stand down as Israel boss after the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Guttman has told the Israel FA he wants a return to club management after four years in the hot-seat.
The 57-year-old plans to leave his post regardless of whether Israel reaches next year’s finals.
It means Guttman will also not be around for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers — leaving his successor with a daunting task.
Guttman says that Israel have been drawn into possibly the toughest group after they were paired with former world champions Spain and Italy.
Improving Albania along with minnows Macedonia and Liechtenstein complete the six-team pool.
Israel begin with a home match against Italy where only the group winners qualify automatically.
And with the runners-up consigned to the play-offs, Israel face a fight to still be in the frame when they host Spain for the final match in October 2017.
Guttman admits Israel has it all to do if they are to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1970.
He said: “This is possibly the toughest draw Israeli soccer has received since joining UEFA over 20 years ago.
“Spain and Italy, former world and European champions, represent the best of world soccer.
“It’s a huge challenge for any manager and player.
“It would be wrong to focus on this at the moment as we are resuming our Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in just over a month.”
Guttman added: “We have a real chance of reaching a major tournament and who knows when that might happen next — especially considering the draw for 2018 World Cup qualifying.”
Israel currently lie in third spot in Group B and remain firmly in contention to reach next year’s finals in France.
But after beginning the campaign on fire, three successive defeats have left their qualifying hopes hanging in the balance.
They face whipping boys Andorra before a crunch trip to leaders Wales in September.
Belgium, Bosnia and Cyprus are all also in the contention ahead of a make-or-break sequence of matches for Israel.