Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club announced that Head Coach Oded Katash has signed a contract extension for three additional years with the club. “I am pleased to announce that after four seasons in which Oded Katash has held the head coach position at Maccabi Tel Aviv, including approximately three challenging seasons in which the team played its home games outside Israel in Belgrade due to the security situation, it was only natural and appropriate for Oded, who also grew up in the club, to continue in his role as head coach for at least the next three seasons,” said club chairman Shimon Mizrahi.

“Since there was a mutual desire from both sides, the path to signing the agreement was quick and efficient,” Mizrahi added. “The club places great importance on continuity and will make every effort to maintain stability, including with players. We wish Oded great success as he continues to lead the team.”

“Renewing our head coach’s contract is a significant step for the organization. Over the past years, Oded has demonstrated outstanding character, devotion and commitment, making this decision both natural and strategic as we continue building for the future,” General Manager Claudio Coldebella said.

“Oded brings exceptional human and professional qualities, along with strong leadership that will guide us toward a bright and successful future. His presence will be instrumental in strengthening our unity and continuing to develop the true and unique Maccabi identity. I would also like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to our ownership group for their support and collaboration in reaching this agreement.”

“I’m happy and honored to continue leading the prestigious basketball club of Maccabi Tel Aviv for many years to come,” said Oded Kattash after signing his new contract. “For me, this is an important moment that includes both great pride and tremendous responsibility. I understand that this is not only a personal vote of confidence, but also a major commitment to professionalism, stability, and continuity, all of which are essential for the success of any organization, and certainly for Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club.”

Katash continued, “First and foremost, I would like to thank the ownership group, the club’s management, and Claudio for their trust and for the shared effort along this journey. This is not something I take for granted. Leading a basketball team in a professional and responsible manner is always a complex task, especially given the reality imposed on us in Israel over the past few years. This is never the work of one person — it is always the result of teamwork that must operate with coordination, dedication, and full commitment.

“Therefore, it’s important for me to thank the dedicated staff working with me every day: the assistant coaches, player development coaches, physiotherapy staff, medical team, support staff, office personnel, and the entire Maccabi family. I greatly appreciate each and every one of you and I’m glad you are part of this journey. I would also like to thank the players who have accompanied me over the years, we have gone through challenging periods together, and I appreciate everyone for the shared path.

Katash also spoke to the supporters, “To the yellow-and-blue fans, you are the beating heart of this club, its soul and the force that drives it forward. You are the sixth player, and sometimes even the fifth. The magic of the arena and your contribution to the club, the symbol, the team, and the players is immense. On a personal level, your support moves me and is appreciated more than any words I can write. It’s true, I don’t always smile, but I am always moved by you. The story of Maccabi was not written by one person. The owners of this great club, together with many others over the years, have written and continue to write it. I am proud to be part of this story, and happy to continue being part of it in the years to come.”

The club made tremendous efforts to secure Katash with an unprecedented contract, the largest ever for a head coach in Maccabi Tel Aviv history. With the new agreement, Kattash will become the longest-serving head coach in continuous tenure at the club in more than five decades.

During his previous three seasons as head coach, Katash led Maccabi to two Israeli League championships, a decisive championship game in the previous interrupted season, two State Cup titles and two EuroLeague playoff appearances. In both EuroLeague series, Maccabi was just minutes away from reaching the Final Four. He guided the organization through a period of instability in hosting games during an ongoing war, and this season led Maccabi to a State Cup title, first place in the Israeli League, and back into the EuroLeague playoff race.

Oded Katash returned to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer of 2022 for his second stint as head coach. The former Israeli national team coach, Maccabi star player, and member of the Maccabi Hall of Fame returned to the club where he grew up.

Katash was born on October 10, 1974, and joined Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth department at the age of 10, a sequence of tens that explains the jersey number most associated with him. From a young age, he was considered a major prospect and was promoted early to the senior team, while also playing for Maccabi South. After loan spells with Ramat Gan and Galil Elyon, he returned to Maccabi and replaced Guy Goodes, becoming a star in his own right.

The slender guard dazzled defenders, controlled the tempo, and became one of Europe’s most lethal scorers, winning three championships and two State Cups with Maccabi. Many still consider him one of the most talented Israeli players of all time.

In the summer of 1998, Katash reached an agreement with the New York Knicks and was set to become the first Israeli player in the NBA, but a labor dispute between players and the league resulted in a prolonged lockout. Kattash returned to Tel Aviv and later joined Panathinaikos.

Maccabi fans remember both the pride and heartbreak of the 2000 EuroLeague Final, where Kattash scored 14 points for Panathinaikos and defeated Maccabi. Soon after, he suffered a knee injury, and in the following EuroLeague final when Maccabi captured the title he watched from the sidelines. After several years battling the injury, he retired and began his coaching career with Hapoel Galil Elyon.

In the summer of 2007, Katash was appointed head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv, though his first tenure lasted only half a season. He later became one of Israel’s leading coaches, keeping Gilboa/Galil in the league and later leading the team to a historic Israeli championship in 2010.

He also served as assistant coach of the Israeli national team, coached Hapoel Jerusalem, Hapoel Eilat, and Hapoel Tel Aviv and in 2017 led Israel’s U20 national team to the European Championship final.

In October 2017, Katash was named head coach of the Israeli national team, later returning to Hapoel Jerusalem, where he led the club to back-to-back State Cup titles (2019–2020). In January 2021, he returned to Panathinaikos as head coach, leading the team to a domestic double.

In the winter of the 2021/22 season, Katash was inducted into the Maccabi Tel Aviv Hall of Fame alongside Doron Sheffer during a ceremony before Maccabi’s 1,000th European game. Shortly afterward, he became general manager of Gilboa/Galil before returning to Maccabi Tel Aviv as head coach.