Former Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane has been appointed as the manager of Israeli side 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 relegation.
Keane has since left his role with Leeds and has now taken up the option of a full-time gig with the Israeli Premier League side.
Keane, who also held coaching roles with Middlesbrough (2019-2020) and Ireland (2018-2020), 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."
WELCOME COACH ✍🏼https://t.co/7tSMupLWvj pic.twitter.com/iN6b6hFIGj
— Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (@MaccabiTLVFC) June 26, 2023
The Tallaght native will now be tasked with aiming to win Maccabi Tel Aviv's first league championship since 2020. Rival side Maccabi Haifa has won three successive titles. Keane's new side will also compete in the Europa Conference League qualifiers next month.
Maccabi's owner, Mitch Goldhar, added: "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."
During his career, Keane scored more than 400 goals with clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds, Liverpool, Coventry City, West Ham, Aston Villa, as well as the Republic of Ireland, where he is the country's top goal scorer.
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