Robbie Keane named boss of ‘boyhood club’ Maccabi Tel Aviv as fans scratch heads

Robbie Keane has left footy fans scratching their heads after being appointed manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Ireland legend Keane will take charge of the Israeli Premier League side in the coming days having signed a two-year contract. He was most recently assistant to Sam Allardyce at Leeds for the final four games of last season.

The move has raised plenty of eyebrows, with one Twitter user arguing: “About as random as it gets.” A second wrote: “Didn’t have this on my 2023 bingo card, but I’m here for it. Good luck, Keano!”

“He must be doing it just for the experience I suppose,” commented a third, while a fourth joked: “Slight surprise but I bet he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to manage his boyhood club.”

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It became a running joke in the latter years of Keane’s playing career that he’d call each side he signed for his “boyhood club”. After leaving Tottenham for Liverpool in 2008, he thanked Spurs chairman Daniel Levy for granting his “lifelong dream” to play for the Reds.

Then when he joined Celtic on loan in 2010, he said: “The club is massive. I am a Celtic fan and did not have to ask much about it. I always wanted to play for Celtic and it works for all parties.”

Can you think of another player who was similar to Keane when it comes to joining a new club? Let us know in the comments section.

The quote that really took the biscuit, however, was upon his arrival at LA Galaxy the following year. Keane claimed: “I have always wanted to come and play in MLS so it’s the perfect combination for me and a dream come true.”

Clearing up who he actually supports, the 42-year-old told the Sky Sports Football Show in 2020: “I just love football!

“I think it was clear to see that I was a Liverpool fan so I was very, very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have played with them.”