Maccabi Tel Aviv hires Robbie Keane as coach

Posted : 26 June 2023

Maccabi Tel Aviv has officially appointed Robbie Keane, the legendary former Irish player, as their new coach, replacing the recently sacked Aitor Karanka in Kiryat Shalom. Keane has signed a two-year contract, with an annual salary of €400,000.

Last season, he served as an assistant at Premier League side Leeds United. Upon signing, Keane expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead.

The announcement by Maccabi Tel Aviv confirms that Robbie Keane has taken up the role of head coach for the team. The former Irish player has agreed to a two-season contract, earning €400,000 per season.

This decision comes after it was determined that Aitor Karanka and his entire coaching staff would not continue for the upcoming season.

In response to his appointment, Keane stated, "I am delighted to embrace this challenge at Maccabi Tel Aviv. My team and I are eagerly looking forward to commencing our work, and we have full confidence in our ability to prepare the team for the upcoming season."

Mitch Goldhar, the team's owner, also commented on the hiring, saying, "Robbie embodies the mentality, character, energy, and focus of a winner, qualities he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career. These attributes, combined with his coaching aspirations, align with our objectives at Maccabi Tel Aviv."

At the age of 42, Keane has an illustrious playing career, representing clubs such as Tottenham, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham, and Aston Villa. He has also served as an assistant coach for the Irish national team, Middlesbrough, and most recently, Leeds United last season.

Keane is widely regarded as one of the greatest Irish players of all time. With 68 goals in 146 appearances, he holds the record as Ireland's top scorer. Notably, he scored against Israel in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

During his time at Tottenham, where he is highly associated, Keane scored 91 goals in 238 games. Additionally, he had a successful stint at the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS from 2011 to 2016, scoring 104 goals in 165 games (ranking second all-time) and winning three MLS Cups.

Although Keane had a brief experience as a player-coach for Atlético Kolkata in India, overseeing just three matches, this appointment marks his first significant coaching role. In the previous season, he worked alongside Sam Aldries at Leeds United, a team that was ultimately relegated from the Premier League.

Now, Keane has an opportunity to showcase his coaching abilities in a more substantial capacity, albeit with the challenge of meeting Maccabi Tel Aviv's expectations to secure a championship they have been without for the past three years.

Maccabi Tel Aviv hires Robbie Keane as coach

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