Ya'akov Grundman Explained

Ya'akov "Yankela" Grundman
יעקב "יענקל'ה" גרונדמן
Fullname:Ya'akov "Yankeleh" Grundman
יעקב גרונדמן
Birth Date:20 July 1939
Birth Place:Proszowice, Poland
Death Place:Tel Aviv, Israel
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:-1954
Youthclubs1:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
Years1:1954–1968
Clubs1:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
Caps1:174
Goals1:20
Nationalyears1:1961–1964
Nationalteam1:Israel
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1964–1965
Managerclubs1:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv (player-coach)
Manageryears2:1966–1968
Managerclubs2:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv (player-coach)
Manageryears3:1970–1971
Managerclubs3:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
Manageryears4:1971–1973
Managerclubs4:Maccabi Petah Tikva
Manageryears5:1973–1975
Managerclubs5:Hapoel Haifa
Manageryears6:1976–1977
Managerclubs6:Maccabi Tel Aviv
Manageryears7:1978–1979
Managerclubs7:Beitar Tel Aviv
Manageryears8:1979–1981
Managerclubs8:Maccabi Netanya
Manageryears9:1981–1982
Managerclubs9:Maccabi Tel Aviv
Manageryears10:1982–1983
Managerclubs10:Hapoel Lod
Manageryears11:1983–1984
Managerclubs11:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
Manageryears12:1986–1988
Managerclubs12:Shimshon Tel Aviv
Manageryears13:1988–1992
Managerclubs13:Israel (co-manager)
Manageryears14:1992
Managerclubs14:Hapoel Tel Aviv
Manageryears15:1995–1997
Managerclubs15:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
Manageryears16:1997–1998
Managerclubs16:Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv

Ya'akov "Yankela" Grundman (Hebrew: יעקב "יענקל'ה" גרונדמן; 20, Polish: Jakub Grundman, alternatively Jakob Grundman or Ja’akow Grundman; July 1939, Proszowice – 24 May 2004, Tel Aviv) was a Polish-born Ashkenazi Jewish Israeli professional football player and manager.[1]

Biography

Early life

Grundman was born in Proszowice, Poland before the outbreak of World War II.[2] After the German invasion of Poland, Grundman’s family went into hiding with a Polish farmer near the town of Proszowice.[2] Grundman spent three years hiding in the town, many times going weeks at a time before getting something to eat.[2]

At the end of the war, Grundman's father returned to work in the flour business and owned a small bakery.[2] The Grundman's shared profits with the Polish farmer and before making aliyah to Israel, they gave him their business and two houses.[2] Upon arrival to Israel, the family settled in the Hatikva Quarter of Tel Aviv.

Playing career

Growing up in Hatikva Quarter, Grundman joined the local side, Bnei Yehuda. Being the only Ashkenazi Jew in the squad, Grundman was nicknamed "The Pole." Grundman was part of the squad as they achieved promotion for the first time to the Liga Leumit in 1959.

Managerial career

After retiring as a player, Grundman began a career as a manager, winning the double with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 1977, as well the Israeli league in 1980 with Maccabi Netanya and the State Cup with Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv in 1968, and with Hapoel Haifa in 1974. The peak of his managerial career was when ha, alongside Itzhak Schneor had jointly coached Israel between 1988 and 1992, and were one goal short of qualifying for the 1990 world cup.

Later life and death

Grundman spent years in the hospital fighting cancer. In 2004, IFA chairman, Itche Menahem presented him with the FIFA Order of Merit.[3] Grundman passed the next day.[3] Before the funeral, his coffin was brought to Ramat Gan Stadium so that the public could pay their respects.[3] On 27 March 2004, three days after Grundman's death, the Israel national team held a moment of silence for Yankeleh before their friendly match against Georgia in Tbilisi.[4]

Honours

Playing honours

Club

Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv:

Managerial honours

Club

Hapoel Haifa:
Maccabi Tel Aviv:
Maccabi Netanya:
Shimshon Tel Aviv:

Individual

Notes and References

  1. News: he:יעקב גרונדמן הובא היום למנוחות . Liran . Bartel . http://www.nrg.co.il/online/3/ART/722/211.html . Ma'ariv . NRG.co.il . 25 May 2004 . 1 May 2011 . he . Ya'akov Grundman Buried Today .
  2. News: he:שלוש שנים בבור: ילדותו של יענקל'ה גרונדמן בפולין . http://www.one.co.il/Article/178967.html . One.co.il . 1 May 2011 . 1 May 2011 . he . Three Years In A Ditch: The Childhood Of Yankel'eh Grundman In Poland.
  3. News: Former Israel coach Grundman dies, 65 . Ha'aretz . 25 May 2004 . 1 May 2011 .
  4. News: Gamecast: Georgia v Israel . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721164307/http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/report?gameId=151586&lang=EN . dead . July 21, 2011 . Reuters . ESPN . 27 May 2004 . 1 May 2011.