Robbie Keane is announced as the new manager of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv on a shock two-year deal after brief stint alongside Sam Allardyce at Leeds
- Robbie Keane has agreed to be the new boss of the Israeli Premier League side
- The former striker recently left his role as Leeds United assistant manager
- Keane has also previously held coaching roles at Middlesbrough and Ireland
Robbie Keane has been announced as the new manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv on a two-year deal.
The 42-year-old was most recently hired as an assistant to Sam Allardyce at his old club Leeds towards the end of last season, as the duo attempted to save the Elland Road outfit from the drop.
Keane ultimately departed after the side’s relegation to the Championship in May and will take up his first head coaching role with the decorated Israeli Premier League side.
The former striker, who has also held coaching roles at Middlesbrough and the Republic of Ireland, told the club’s website: ‘I am delighted to take on this challenge at Maccabi.
‘My team and I look forward to beginning work and we have confidence in our ability to do what is necessary to prepare the team for the coming season.’
Robbie Keane has opted to start his managerial journey in the Israeli Premier League next year
Keane was one of Sam Allardyce’s assistants during his four-game spell at Leeds last season
Keane will take the reins of the country’s most successful club that is four years removed from its last league title, having watched rivals Maccabi Haifa claim three successive titles.
The roster is led by 24-year-old Serbian Djordje Jovanovic, who netted 13 times in 25 games last term, while 22-year-old stopper Daniel Peretz caught the eye with two penalty saves in Israel U21’s 1-1 draw with Germany at the European Championships last week.
After coaching stints in the UK and Ireland, Keane’s move to the western Asia comes as a surprise, especially after his comments following Leeds’ Premier League relegation that suggested he believed he is cut out to work in one of England’s top divisions.
The duo, alongside Karl Robinson (middle) failed to steer the side away from relegation
‘My time at Leeds was very enjoyable, in terms of the experience and being back at my old club,’ he wrote in his Betway column earlier this month. ‘There are really good people there, good staff. It’s a club that’s got a great history.
‘Unfortunately, we probably came in a little bit too late. It would have been nice if we’d have got in there earlier, I think it would have been a lot different.
‘The experience was great, apart from the results, but we knew we were going to be up against it with the teams we were playing.’
Keane scored more than 400 goals during his career as a player with clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds, Liverpool, Coventry City, West Ham, Aston Villa as well as the Republic of Ireland where he is the most capped player and top goal scorer.
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