Robbie Keane has been announced at the new head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Ireland's all time record goal scorer succeeds Aitor Karanka in the role. The club announced on Sunday that it was "parting company" with Karanka and his coaching staff "effective immediately".
Keane was recently part of Sam Allardyce's backroom staff at Leeds. He was also Ireland's assistant manager under Mick McCarthy and filled the same role at Middlesbrough.
26 July 2022; Former Bulgaria footballer Stiliyan Petrov, left, and former Republic of Ireland footballer Robbie Keane during the UEFA Champions League 2022-23 Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match between Shamrock Rovers and Ludogorets at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
"Maccabi Tel Aviv FC welcomes Robbie Keane (42) as the new Head Coach for the 2023/24 season," the Israeli club said in a statement on Monday.
"Keane and his team join Maccabi Tel Aviv on a 2-year-deal and are set to arrive in Tel Aviv in the coming days and begin preparations for the forthcoming season."
18 November 2019; James McClean of Republic of Ireland and assistant coach Robbie Keane prior to the UEFA EURO2020 Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Denmark at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Keane said: “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.”
The club's owner, Mitch Goldhar, said that "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."
Maccabi Tel Aviv finished third in the Israeli Premier League last season.
WELCOME COACH ✍🏼https://t.co/7tSMupLWvj pic.twitter.com/iN6b6hFIGj
— Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (@MaccabiTLVFC) June 26, 2023
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