Taking Maccabi Tel Aviv job was ‘a no-brainer’, Robbie Keane tells betting company
Robbie Keane has written about his first weeks as Maccabi Tel Aviv manager.
Robbie Keane – former Ireland legend, Maccabi Tel Aviv manager and Betway ambassador – has written about his first few weeks in Israel for his betting partners.
Ireland’s record goalscorer sparked controversy last month when he agreed to take charge of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Given Ireland’s widespread solidarity with Palestine, his move to Israel was received as a kick to the teeth of campaigners trying to raise awareness for Israel’s ongoing violence towards their neighbours.
Amnesty International affirm that “Israel imposes a system of oppression and domination against Palestinians across all areas under its control: in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), and against Palestinian refugees, in order to benefit Jewish Israelis” – but this did not cross the mind of Keane when making his decision.
Instead, he has described his choice as a ‘no brainer’.
Last shout for my Keano piece. I have a lot of understanding for a lack of knowledge on a subject but that doesn’t mean he can take no responsibility…https://t.co/4gvZZrLue5
— Ronan Calvert (@RonanCalvert) June 30, 2023
Robbie Keane writes about first weeks as Maccabi Tel Aviv boss.
‘My first few weeks in Tel Aviv have been really enjoyable,” he wrote.
‘I’ve played here before for Ireland, but I was never able to spend much time in the city because you’re in and out. It’s absolutely beautiful.
‘It’s been an honour to take my first head coach job at Maccabi Tel Aviv as well.
‘I don’t think people back at home realise how big the club is. I certainly did, but I’m not sure from the outside.
‘Maccabi Tel Aviv is a huge club with a magnificent history, so taking the job here was a no-brainer.
‘One of the big reasons I came here was to have the opportunity to manage in UEFA competitions.
‘This year we’re in the Europa Conference League, and if we do well in the league then there’s carrot of getting into the Champions League or Europa League.
‘I learned a lot working under Sam Allardyce at Leeds recently, and something I want to take into my career is his top-class man management.
‘The respect and honesty with which he speaks to everyone is something I’ll always try and replicate.
‘He’s very similar to Mick McCarthy in that respect. They’re both managers who I respect, but the best piece of advice I’ve had is to be myself.’
Unideal
Keane faced the first challenge of his tenure earlier this week when his goalkeeping coach Graham Stack parted company with the club, just weeks into the job.
“Maccabi Tel Aviv announces that Graham Stack, First Team Goalkeeping Coach, has left the Club by mutual consent,” the club posted on their official website.
“The Club have already begun the search to identify a replacement with a view to make an appointment as soon as possible.”
