Robbie Keane has left his post as Maccabi Tel Aviv manager after their league-winning season.
Keane confirmed he was leaving the Israeli club in a statement to the Irish Independent last night.
On the pitch, the Dubliner’s one-year stint was hugely successful, guiding the club to their first league title since 2020. They also claimed the Toto Cup – equivalent of the League Cup – defeating Maccabi Haifa in the final.
They also performed strongly in the Europa Conference League, topping their group, dispatching Gent in the first knockout round before falling short against eventual champions Olympiacos in the round of 16.
Nonetheless, Keane’s decision to take a job in Israel attracted criticism from the start, the player insisting he did not wish to get into politics and was in Tel Aviv “as a football man”.
This criticism ratcheted up significantly amid the escalation in the conflict since 7 October and ongoing events in Gaza.
In a statement to the Irish Independent, Keane said: “I am very proud of everything we have achieved together as a team and, of course, most proud of the hard work and dedication which resulted in us winning the league and Toto Cup (League Cup) thus guaranteeing Maccabi a Champions League spot next season.”
