FORMER Premier League hero Robbie Keane has landed a shock new job in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
He will replace ex-Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka at the club.
Keane, 42, has signed a two-year deal with The Yellows.
He told the official Maccabi Tel Aviv website: “I am delighted to take on this challenge.
“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.”
Maccabi’s owner Mitch Goldhar welcomed the Irish legend.
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He said: “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.”
The team finished third in the Israeli league last season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv are the most successful side in the country, having won more league titles than any other club with 23 championships.
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They have also been in the Champions League group stage twice, in 2004/05 and 2015/16.
Keane has not been in charge of a club since he was player-manager of Indian side ATK five years ago.
He has since been assistant coach with the Republic of Ireland and Boro.
And most recently, the ex-Tottenham goalscorer was part of Sam Allardyce’s staff that failed to keep Leeds in the Prem last season.
Keane played for Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan, Leeds, Spurs, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham, LA Galaxy and Aston Villa in his lengthy playing career.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
