Robbie Keane spent the last month of the season at Leeds United as one of the coaches under Sam Allardyce and having failed to help keep the club up – he has taken on his first managerial job, at Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Keane, 42, returned to Leeds in May as a coach, 20 years after leaving Leeds in 2003 – having scored 19 goals in 56 games during a three-year stint in his playing career. He worked alongside Karl Robinson and manager Allardyce.
The Irish legend has also worked as a player-manager in Indian football, and then as an assistant at Middlesbrough and Ireland. But now, he has been handed the chance to manage a senior side – without having to play as well.
He has taken on the role at Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel – who qualified for the Europa League qualifying round last term with a third-place finish. Keane will be tasked with taking his new side a step further, and winning the league.
Robbie Keane takes on Maccabi Tel Aviv job after Leeds return
It will be interesting to see how Keane gets on in Israel. Clearly open to travelling abroad, having done so to Italy, USA, India and Scotland in his playing career – Keane will be under pressure to reawaken a side in need of a reboot.
Tel Aviv were often a side seen in the group stages of major competition, but not for a long time. They will be hoping the lure of Keane will attract players to Israel this summer, and boost their chances of reaching the group stages.
Leeds, meanwhile, are yet to appoint a manager but something is expected this week. Daniel Farke remains the main contender, while Patrick Vieira, Carlos Corberan and Scott Parker are also names being linked with a move to Leeds.
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