A Premier League legend says he’s loving life managing in Israel.
Eyebrows had been raised when former Tottenham, Liverpool and Leeds striker Robbie Keane, 43, was appointed boss of Maccabi Tel Aviv final summer time. But the ex-Ireland worldwide has no regrets over the transfer.
The Israeli Premier League was suspended for a spell within the wake of Hamas’ October 7 terror assaults on the nation, earlier than resuming in late November. And regardless of the backdrop of the continued warfare in Gaza, Keane insists he’s completely happy within the nation, the place he has led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the highest of the desk, some extent away from Maccabi Haifa.
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“Things have been going great here,” Keane stated in his column for Betway. “We’re on the prime of the league, within the final 16 of the Europa Conference League and we’re within the Toto Cup remaining, so it couldn’t be going any higher. I’m actually having fun with teaching and managing.
“The most satisfying outcome up to now was beating Gent away from dwelling within the Conference League, contemplating the staff that they’re and the funds that they’ve. We needed to win to complete prime of the group, and to finish up successful 3-1 was a credit score to the gamers. We dominated the sport and it was most likely our greatest efficiency.
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(Image: Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images)
“I almost hate to say it, but our target is just to win the next game and maintain the form that we’re in. I don’t like to look too far ahead, because I’ve been around the game long enough to know that anything can change in football. We’ll just take each game as it comes and keep the players’ feet on the ground.”
Speaking beforehand on the transfer, Keane stated: “I don’t think people back at home realise how big the club is. I certainly did, but I’m not sure from the outside. Maccabi Tel Aviv is a huge club with a magnificent history, so taking the job here was a no-brainer.
(Image: Getty Images)
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“One of the big reasons I came here was to have the opportunity to manage in UEFA competitions. This year we’re in the Europa Conference League, and if we do well in the league then there’s carrot of getting into the Champions League or Europa League.”
Keane’s aspect take break from this league motion this weekend when go to Hapoel Hadera in Israel State Cup on Sunday.