Idan Tal

Tal started his career at Hapoel Jerusalem FC, moving to Maccabi Petah Tikva midway through the 1996–97 season. He joined his next club, Hapoel Tel Aviv, in the same period of 1998–99, winning the Israel State Cup with the side (its first title in 11 years). In 1999–2000 Tal represented CP Mérida in Spain. Even though the Extremadura team finished in sixth position in the second division, it would be relegated due to irregularities, and he returned to Maccabi Petah Tikva, playing a handful of games before changing teams – and countries – again, as he signed with Everton in October 2000, appearing sparingly over the course of two 1/2 seasons. In January 2003 Tal was released and returned to Spain, joining La Liga side Rayo Vallecano and suffering another relegation, this time on the pitch. In the summer, he signed for Maccabi Haifa. On 9 November 2005, Tal received French citizenship, a process that took him five years to complete: his eligibility came through his wife Doreen, of French descent. The fact that he had acquired a European passport, along with his contract with Maccabi being due to expire at the end of the season, allowed him to renegotiate a return to Europe on a free transfer, where he would not count as a foreign player. In July 2006 he left the national champions to return to England, signing with Bolton Wanderers and sharing teams with compatriot Tal Ben Haim. During his sole season, as Bolton qualified for the UEFA Cup as seventh, Tal appeared almost…

Tal earned 69 caps for the Israel national team during nine years, scoring five goals.

On 30 June 2013, Tal was appointed the manager of Hapoel Jerusalem. In December he left the job due to poor results.

Tal was born in Beersheba, Israel, and is Jewish. He lives in Haifa, is married to Doreen, and has two children, Miron and Amit.