Keane takes unlikely first managerial role after working with Allardyce at Leeds

26 June 2023 , 10:29

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Robbie Keane has landed his first managerial role in Israel

Robbie Keane has produced a shock by taking up the manager's job at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The Irishman had been keen to get into coaching and has decided to take up an opening at Israel's most successful outfit. Maccabi Tel Aviv, who have won the league title 23 times, recently parted company with former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka.

They have now turned to Keane, who was recently working at Leeds under Sam Allardyce, albeit for a short while as they tried and failed to keep the Whites in the Premier League. Prior to that, he's been an assistant with the Republic of Ireland and at Middlesbrough, where Karanka was previously in charge.

Keane, who has previously been a player-manager in India for a three-game spell, told the club's website: "I am happy to take on this challenge at Maccabi. 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 the team for the upcoming season."

Owner Mitch Goldhar added: "Robbie brings with him the mentality, character, energy and focus of a winner, qualities that he demonstrated everywhere he played. These characteristics combined with the ambitions to succeed as a coach are in line with our goals at Maccabi."

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Maccabi have not won the title since 2020 with Maccabi Haifa recently enjoying a hat-trick of league successes. Last term they finished in third, eight points off the champions. The Israeli club have previously attracted the likes of Jordi Cruyff and Slavisa Jokanovic to the dugout and will be hoping their new boss can take them back to the top of the domestic game.

The Irishman has recently been working at Leeds ((Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images))

Keane made moves to various countries in his career, heading to Italy as a youngster and the USA later in his career whilst playing for a host of Premier League clubs. The Irishman admitted previously that he would head wherever necessary to get his first break in management with Maccabi Tel Aviv proving to be his choice.

He told the 'We Are Liverpool' podcast: “I love helping young players with coaching. I would definitely love to be a manager at some stage, I'd definitely love to give that a go. I definitely think it will happen at some stage but it's just picking the right one and getting the right opportunity.

"That's why I wouldn't be frightened to go abroad. If the right opportunity came up, whether that be in the MLS or abroad somewhere, I would definitely give it a go."

Samuel Meade