Robbie Keane

[Razors left peg]

It would be madness to give Robbie Keane the job at anytime - he is a showboater who is interest in money and image.

Our greatest ever striker, but sure just a showboater

[texidub]

Never say never but I'd like to see Robbie succeed at a different challenge before he would realistically come into contention for the job. Hopefully he does well this season and moves on up to a club on another level - maybe on the continent.

[dahamsta]

I've moved the OT posts here (https://foot.ie/threads/289051-Israel-amp-Football). I take the point that they're football-related, but they're barely Keane related, so they belong somewhere else.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Our greatest ever striker, but sure just a showboater
Didn't say he wasn't a good footballer - he actually should have been better - but there is zero evidence that he is any good of a manager (for the same reason why there is zero evidence that Neil Lennon is any good).

[SkStu]

Robbie wins the Israeli Premier League with two games to spare. Great start to his managerial career. Loved him as a player but didn’t think he’d make a good manager. Fair play to him.

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/robbie-keane-guides-maccabi-tel-aviv-to-israeli-league-title-after-first-season-in-charge/a1957825167.html

[texidub]

Robbie was underappreciated in Ireland for a lot of his career, despite being one of the top international goal scorers of all time (21st on the all time list (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_top_international_men%27s_football_goal_sc orers_by_country) alongside Luis Suarez). Winning the Israeli league won't change that perception much for reasons footballing and otherwise, but for Robbie it's just more winning.... he has a knack for it. Hoping he takes a step up now and manages somewhere in Europe ('real' Europe, not makey uppy Eurovision-type Europe).

[tetsujin1979]

Robbie was underappreciated in Ireland for a lot of his career, despite being one of the top international goal scorers of all time (21st on the all time list (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_top_international_men%27s_football_goal_sc orers_by_country) alongside Luis Suarez). Winning the Israeli league won't change that perception much for reasons footballing and otherwise, but for Robbie it's just more winning.... he has a knack for it. Hoping he takes a step up now and manages somewhere in Europe ('real' Europe, not makey uppy Eurovision-type Europe).

Like, say, Australia?

[Razors left peg]

Robbie was underappreciated in Ireland for a lot of his career, despite being one of the top international goal scorers of all time (21st on the all time list (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_top_international_men%27s_football_goal_sc orers_by_country) alongside Luis Suarez). Winning the Israeli league won't change that perception much for reasons footballing and otherwise, but for Robbie it's just more winning.... he has a knack for it. Hoping he takes a step up now and manages somewhere in Europe ('real' Europe, not makey uppy Eurovision-type Europe).

I'd take him as Ireland manager in a heartbeat now

[John83]

I'd take him as Ireland manager in a heartbeat now
Right now, I'd take a wheelie bin with googley eyes as Ireland manager.

[seanfhear]

Right now, I'd take a wheelie bin with googley eyes as Ireland manager.Sticky Tacky tactics though ! !

[Eirambler]

Keane is in the top 20 Premier League goalscorers since it's inception. Whatever about his post career job choices (questionable) or his managerial ability (unproven), his position as our best ever striker to date is not in any doubt.

[pineapple stu]

Robbie wins the Israeli Premier League with two games to spare. Great start to his managerial career. Loved him as a player but didn’t think he’d make a good manager. Fair play to him.

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/robbie-keane-guides-maccabi-tel-aviv-to-israeli-league-title-after-first-season-in-charge/a1957825167.html
Worth noting too Olympiakos are in the Conference League final after home and away wins over Aston Villa. The 6-1 collapse was a pretty bad result (not helped by being in a neutral venue), but in that case I think it has to be noted the 4-1 away win was an exceptional performance.

[NeverFeltBetter]

A good achievement for Robbie, even if you have to consider the strength of his side relative to the rest of the league. Seeded in the Second Round of CPL qualifying next year, if he's still there, could end up drawing Rovers. But he'll need to move on to somewhere a bit more competitive if he's to really make his mark as a manager. MLS maybe, but could see someone in the English second tier taking a gamble. Regardless, there's no way they'll hire him for the Ireland job at the moment.

[SkStu]

A lot of absolute rubbish being spouted about Robbie on here. Irish legend and one of the top PL goalscorers ever. Gave us some amazing moments in the green. Lovely fella too by all accounts. Boggles the mind that we still have some Irish fans belittling his achievements.

[tetsujin1979]

Sagnol discussion moved to "Next Manager" thread
Off topic posts deleted
Next time, everything gets deleted

[CraftyToePoke]

Has quit the job in Israel.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i-am-very-proud-of-everything-we-have-achieved-robbie-keanes-time-as-maccabi-tel-aviv-boss-is-over/a1196057798.html

Sources close to Keane have indicated that he had made the decision to leave at the end of the campaign before that title was secured.

And he has removed references to the club from his Instagram account ahead of an announcement on Friday.

[SkStu]

I wouldn’t be as critical about him and his choice of job as some have been but this is ultimately a good thing, a good move from him.

[Diggs246]

I wonder will he reach out to the fai. Or have they already reached out to him, hense his exit from Israel.
The fai don't give a rats ass about Gaza or any fan backlash. He would be better then O Shea. But still not a great appointment imo

[seanfhear]

I wonder will he reach out to the fai. Or have they already reached out to him, hense his exit from Israel.
The fai don't give a rats ass about Gaza or any fan backlash. He would be better then O Shea. But still not a great appointment imoProbably all depends on how we do in the next game !

[Diggs246]

I think people are forgetting that we are away to Portugal! The next game will be a defeat. 2 or 3 nil.

[seanfhear]

I think people are forgetting that we are away to Portugal! The next game will be a defeat. 2 or 3 nil.
It could be bad !

[Diggs246]

I think it probably will be
I can see Oshea sticking with Coleman who may not be able for a 2nd game?
Coleman was good v Hungary but 2 games with very little football before might not be ideal

Also Portugal do have word class players all over the shop!

[zero]

I think it probably will be
I can see Oshea sticking with Coleman who may not be able for a 2nd game?
Coleman was good v Hungary but 2 games with very little football before might not be ideal

Also Portugal do have word class players all over the shop!

on the other hand with the euros around the corner there will be a mixture of guys trying to impress but also some careful play by established stars (if picked) to not put themselves at injury risk.

that being said, i'd say maybe 1-0 or 2-1 but a draw wouldn't surprise me.

[pineapple stu]

on the other hand with the euros around the corner there will be a mixture of guys trying to impress but also some careful play by established stars (if picked) to not put themselves at injury risk.
You can also add it's an away game, so Portugal's send off to their fans ahead of the tournament. I think that'll make them a bit more up for it than Hungary were on Tuesday. Really no idea what to expect. Would have liked to see O'Leary and Cannon get some minutes over the window but not sure if Portugal away is the match for that. You'd expect some rotation in the defence though.

[Eirambler]

Needs to do a bit of PR damage limitation now. It's probably fixable if he makes it clear he felt he had a professional obligation to see out the season and unreservedly condemns the Gaza invasion. He'll want to make sure he has all his stuff out of Israel before he does it though!

[JR89]

Best thing he can do is just keep his mouth shut. A PR exercise isn't gonna change anyone's opinion of him that already holds a negative opinion of him.

[Eirambler]

You'd be surprised.

[Diggs246]

Best thing he can do is just keep his mouth shut. A PR exercise isn't gonna change anyone's opinion of him that already holds a negative opinion of him.


Actually in the case he cant, because the media will hound him, so a statement would be wise , because he can also say I've made my statement and i will only entertain football related questions going forward

[Olé Olé]

Paul Rowan on front of the Sunday Times sports section - "Ireland consider Keane for vacant manager role."

Cites well placed sources in FAI and quotes a "senior FAI official" saying that "most people would accept" Keane's situation in Israel where "he wouldn't leave the players but just had to get out in the end."

[Diggs246]

He's not qualified imo, but way more qualified than OShea.

Does anyone have any idea what standard the Israeli league is?

In par with MLS? Probably not
Better than the South Korean league I guess. Would it be near the Belgium league? Any thoughts welcome

[Olé Olé]

He's not qualified imo, but way more qualified than OShea.

Does anyone have any idea what standard the Israeli league is?

In par with MLS? Probably not
Better than the South Korean league I guess. Would it be near the Belgium league? Any thoughts welcome

Well, Rowan covers this to an extent

"The Israeli league is a higher standard than the League Of Ireland but FAI chiefs are believed to be even more impressed by Keane's achievement in leading Tel Aviv to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League, where they were were narrowly beaten over two legs by the eventual winners Olympicos."

[Olé Olé]

Bit unusual this. Rowan has an article stating Ireland are considering Keane for the gig and an article stating Ireland should consider Keane for the gig in the same paper on the same day...

[pineapple stu]

In par with MLS? Probably not
Better than the South Korean league I guess. Would it be near the Belgium league? Any thoughts welcome
South Korean league is a random one to compare against!

It's ranked 17th in the UEFA rankings for what that's worth. Scotland are 11th. Belgium 8th. Very little between 17th and 12th though

https://kassiesa.net/uefa/data/method5/crank2024.html

[nigel-harps1954]

South Korean league is a random one to compare against!

It's ranked 17th in the UEFA rankings for what that's worth. Scotland are 11th. Belgium 8th. Very little between 17th and 12th though

https://kassiesa.net/uefa/data/method5/crank2024.html

Loses a poor year in the rankings after this season, so stands to jump up to 11th or 12th themselves from 17th, bypassing the likes of Switzerland, Scotland, Norway and Austria, as long as they don't have a disaster of a year in Europe.

[Stuttgart88]

Does anyone know if Keane managed any Palestinian or arab players at Maccabi?

[elatedscum]

Does anyone know if Keane managed any Palestinian or arab players at Maccabi?

Not 100% sure but went through the squad and pretty confident it's a no...

[weldoninhio]

Does anyone know if Keane managed any Palestinian or arab players at Maccabi?

No Maccabi are staunchly anti-arab

[elatedscum]

interesting article from 2020: https://www.dw.com/en/violent-protests-in-israel-when-far-right-football-fans-take-to-the-streets/a-54463825

[Jolly Red Giant]

No Maccabi are staunchly anti-arab
All football in Israel is political - Maccabi Tel Aviv are a right-wing, very much part of the political establishment club. Arab players have played for the club - but have been constantly subject to racist abuse by the club's own supporters.

In contrast Hapoel Tel Aviv is a left-wing / far-left working class club ('Hapoel' means 'the worker'). For decades the club was owned by the Histadrut, the Israeli trade union federation. The symbol of the club is the hammer and sickle and banners of Karl Marx adorn the ground on matchdays. The club has significant support among Israeli Arabs.

However, Beitar Jerusalem is an openly far-right, racist/fascist club that is noted for anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bigotry. It is the only Israeli top flight club never to have signed an Arab player. The club's players have a tradition of aligning with Zionist far-right paramilitary militia groups.

[Rayzor]

Off to Turkey?
https://www.leedsunited.news/news/leeds-united-hero-robbie-keane-in-talks-for-new-manager-job-after-maccabi-tel-aviv-exit/

[seanfhear]

Turkey after Christmas !

Turkey would be an unpredictable place for " Western " managers !

A decent English championship club would probable be a better bet ~ ~ I wonder if such clubs do consider Robbie Keane ?

[CraftyToePoke]

A decent English championship club would probable be a better bet ~ ~ I wonder if such clubs do consider Robbie Keane ?

Surely there's a clue in the fact that the managerial revolving door that is the Championship hasn't even linked him with any jobs in the last six months ? Coventry, job for example, he played there. Fat Frankie Lamps got it. All culminating in a one way flight to Turkey.

Or maybe Robbie just likes sunny places.

[seanfhear]

Surely there's a clue in the fact that the managerial revolving door that is the Championship hasn't even linked him with any jobs in the last six months ? Coventry, job for example, he played there. Fat Frankie Lamps got it. All culminating in a one way flight to Turkey.

Or maybe Robbie just likes sunny places.
Maybe, it's one of his favourite boyhood clubs ? !

[samhaydenjr]

Surely there's a clue in the fact that the managerial revolving door that is the Championship hasn't even linked him with any jobs in the last six months ? Coventry, job for example, he played there. Fat Frankie Lamps got it. All culminating in a one way flight to Turkey.

Or maybe Robbie just likes sunny places.

Five years in LA... he ain't going back to cloudy. If he becomes Ireland manager, all home games will have to be played at the RSC in Waterford... sunny South-East and all

[pineapple stu]

Turkey after Christmas !

Turkey would be an unpredictable place for " Western " managers !
Turkish second tier at that. Bit unexpected given he seemed to do reasonably well with Maccabi. Won the league by 11 points after three years without a title, and got them as far as they'd ever been in Europe. But hard to argue with Crafty's point about some of the basket-case-ier Championship clubs not being interested. Even to be told thanks, but it's not sunny enough.

[tetsujin1979]

Confirmed as the new manager at Ferencvaros
https://www.fradi.hu/labdarugas/elso-csapat/hirek/robbie-keane-a-fradi-uj-vezetoedzoje
Rory Delap is also confirmed as his assistant

[Jolly Red Giant]

Confirmed as the new manager at Ferencvaros
https://www.fradi.hu/labdarugas/elso-csapat/hirek/robbie-keane-a-fradi-uj-vezetoedzoje
Rory Delap is also confirmed as his assistant
You have to wonder how much of the work Delap does - because Keane isn't the sharpest chisel in the toolbox.

[seanfhear]

You have to wonder how much of the work Delap does - because Keane isn't the sharpest chisel in the toolbox.
So ~ Rory Delap does the carpentry side of the job then !

[Rayzor]

You have to wonder how much of the work Delap does - because Keane isn't the sharpest chisel in the toolbox.

Either was Harry Redknapp and countless others

[EalingGreen]

Either was Harry Redknapp and countless othersEh?

Redknapp might not have any 'O' Levels, or speak like a university Don etc, but he has the "street smart" to buy and sell you without your even knowing it. And as well as being a brilliant man-manager (how many of his countless former players ever slag him off?), he was always more tactically adept than given credit for, known for his attacking style of play. Often progressive, too, for example being the first manager in England to appreciate that Italy was for a time ahead of the game when it came to sports science and conditioning etc, such that he was importing their physios and methods before everyone else.

His problem was, however, that when it came to doing a deal which would boost his bank balance, rather than boosting the team, he chose the former every time. As proven by the exception of his time at Spurs, where Levy didn't even allow him near the petty cash tin, so that he did a "triffic" job when concentrating solely on the playing side of things.

As for Robbie Keane, I don't know whether he's bright, academically or street-wise, but however he does it, he seems to have done consistently alright for himself for over a quarter of a century, starting as a 17 y.o. in a foreign country.

Either that or he has one helluva an agent!