Robbie Keane lands surprising first managerial job in Israel

Robbie Keane lands surprising first managerial job in Israel

Robbie Keane is on his way to Israel to manage Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Robbie Keane has been announced as the new manager of Israel Premier League giants Maccabi Tel Aviv.

It will be Keane’s first job as a manager, with his previous experience coming as a coach with Ireland, Leeds and Middlesbrough.

That though, is not to mention a three-game stint as player-manager with the now defunct ATK in the Indian Super League.

Keane Israel

Keane takes Maccabi hot seat.

Expectations of the Dubliner will be high – Maccabi are Israel’s most successful football club and have Europa League qualifiers to look forward to in July.

Historically speaking, Maccabi are the winners of 23 domestic league titles and featured in the 2014 and 2015 Champions League group stages.

Keane will not have the opportunity to manage Champions League qualifiers this season, however, as former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka was sacked for only achieving a third place finish last campaign.

Instead, Europa League football and a first league title since 2020 will be the objective, and owner Mitch Goldhar has full faith in the 42-year-old.

He said: “Robbie brings the mentality, character, energy and focus of a winner, traits he exhibited everywhere he played.

“These characteristics now combined with ambitions to succeed as a coach are aligned with our objectives at Maccabi.”

Keane looks to Israel for first managerial gig.

The appointment comes as a massive opportunity for Keane to prove himself as a manager, and he will take motivation from the rejections he has already faced in the coaching world since retirement.

Keane has spoken publicly about his desire to manage multiple times, but reports linking him to Championship and League of Ireland jobs never came to fruition.

The most recent of those reports came in October, when it was widely reported that Keane was interested in taking over at Hull City.

There was also the famous decision by Stephen Kenny not to welcome Keane onto his backroom team, despite Ireland’s record goalscorer being contracted to the FAI.

But now Keane has his moment to show his capabilities, albeit at one of the most leftfield and controversial clubs imaginable.

“I am happy to take on this challenge at Maccabi”, said Keane of the appointment.

“My team and I are already looking forward to starting work and we are confident in our ability to do what is necessary to prepare.”