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).

[3] 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.

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.

[5] In July 2006 he left the national champions to return to England, signing with Bolton Wanderers and sharing teams with compatriot Tal Ben Haim.

On 26 October 2011, he revealed that, although he had signed a long-term contract, he would retire at the end of the season if he did not achieve promotion to the top flight,[9] which eventually happened yet Tal continued to play for Hapoel.