 In his first match as manager of the national team, against Cyprus, Israel recorded its first victory as independent country (having previously beaten Lebanon as Mandatory Palestine in 1940), beating its rivals 3–1.The national team was beaten in both qualification matches by Yugoslavia, and Hess left the position.Hess returned to Beitar Tel Aviv in 1954, as the team was at risk of relegation to Liga Bet He died in Tel Aviv on 3 July 1956 during a practice.