Robbie Keane Takes Over as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s New Manager
Robbie Keane, the Republic of Ireland legend, has been appointed as the new head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The move comes as a surprise to many, as Keane has only had a few short stints as a coach. However, he is no stranger to the world of football, having played for Celtic, Liverpool, and Inter Milan in his career. Keane’s first match as manager will be against Orlando Pirates in a friendly on July 13.
Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans
Maccabi Tel Aviv is known for its wild fans who bring an electric atmosphere to every game. The Bloomfield Stadium, where Maccabi plays, is usually shrouded in smoke before a ball has even been kicked. Fans wait around outside for the team buses, which must then make their way through a thick fog of flares, accompanied by eardrum-blasting chanting.
While Maccabi Tel Aviv rarely reaches the group stage of the Champions League, when they are in a European match, the fans do not let the occasion slip them by. But their wildest moments come in Tel Aviv derbies, which are often hotly contested. One game last season was suspended by nearly 30 minutes after flares and other objects were thrown onto the pitch. Facing Hapoel Tel Aviv, fire reigned down onto the pitch which led to the referee taking both teams off.
Keane’s Challenge
Keane’s appointment as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s new manager is quite a bold first step into management. His last stint came as Sam Allardyce’s No. 2 at Leeds that lasted four games. Prior to that, Keane has been the assistant manager of Middlesbrough and the Republic of Ireland.
However, Keane showed recently that he still has his golden touch in front of goal after putting himself on during Soccer Aid despite being a coach. He immediately turned the game around after Paul Scholes put England ahead as Keane netted two beauties en route to a 4-2 win for the Rest of the World.
Conclusion
Robbie Keane’s appointment as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s new manager has come as a surprise to many. However, he is no stranger to the world of football, having played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Maccabi Tel Aviv is known for its wild fans who bring an electric atmosphere to every game. Keane’s challenge will be to harness that energy and turn it into results on the pitch. With his experience and passion for the game, he may just be the man for the job.