#INSERT type:image caption:Maccabi Tel Aviv says its coach has quit because of the "current security situation" in Israel. END#
TEL AVIV, Israel -- Maccabi Tel Aviv says its coach has quit because of the "current security situation" in Israel.
The club said Oscar Garcia, who is a former Barcelona midfielder from Spain, will be replaced by Pako Ayestaran, another Spaniard. Ayestaran was previously an assistant coach at Liverpool and Valencia under Rafa Benitez.
Garcia's resignation came two days before the second leg of the team's Europa League playoff against Greek club Asteras Tripolis, scheduled to be played in Cyprus.
Israel is in the eighth week of a military campaign in the Gaza Strip. It has been accompanied by the firing of hundreds of rockets by Islamic militants at Israel, including some at Tel Aviv.
Garcia is a former Barcelona youth team coach who began his second stint at Maccabi Tel Aviv in June. He previously coached Maccabi during in the 2012-13 season, leading the team to the 2013 league title before leaving to manage English club Brighton.
"You cannot do as if there is nothing happening,'' said Maccabi general manager Jordi Cruyff, himself a former Barcelona midfielder and the son of Netherlands great Johan Cruyff. "Games are being canceled, the national team has to play abroad, all Israeli teams have had to play outside Israel.''
Israeli sports have been significantly affected by the Gaza war.