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Robbie Keane will be presented by Maccabi Tel Aviv today. Maccabi Tel Aviv Twitter

'Passionate, jealous and vicious' - What Robbie Keane can expect at Maccabi Tel Aviv

Israel’s most successful club are in serious need of inspiration after three years without a league title.

THIS IS BY no means a cushy number that Robbie Keane is taking on with Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

He is a long way from Soccer Aid now.

The new manager of Israel’s most successful club will quickly find out that only winning is accepted, especially as they have gone three seasons without lifting the league title.

“In Maccabi, you must win the championship. But if they don’t and they still play good football, qualify for Europe and are fighting for everything until the final day, maybe they will let him stay,” football journalist and broadcaster Raz Amir of One, tells The 42.

Uri Levy, journalist and founder of Babagol, adds further context to the size of the task facing the Dubliner in his first managerial role: “It is very courageous of Robbie Keane to take this job. This is like going to Turkey and taking on Fenerbahce or Galatasaray. The stress will pile up.

“The fans will give him a chance, but you must remember that Maccabi is one of the biggest clubs in the country. They have the most passionate, I would say also jealous and vicious, crowd.

“Now they are hugging, they are happy and positive because Robbie Keane is a big name in world football. It will be difficult. The expectation to win every title every year is immense.

“He has come to a good club for a foreign coach,” Levy continues. “He will feel the love now but the pressure will come from everywhere. When he walks on the street people will talk to him, people are very warm, very welcoming.

People here are not shy. In the street, they want to touch and feel the coach. We are very emotional people.

“He can very quickly and easily become a legend here but it’s tricky. The coach’s position is not stable.”

All the more reason to admire Keane for facing up to the challenge.

Maccabi have 23 Israeli Premier Division titles but none since 2020 – during which time they have seen five managers come and go. Extend the time frame to the last decade and that number trebles. Not that Keane will go in blind to the demands, or the opportunity to progress should he prove successful.

Jordi Cruyff, who recently stepped aside as Barcelona’s sporting director, held the same position at Maccabi from 2012-17 before also having a season as manager.

He appointed Oscar Garcia, who left for Brighton; Paolo Sousa was poached by Basel, while Rafael Benitez’s former Liverpool assistant Pako Ayestarán later had a spell in charge of Valencia and is now Unai Emery’s No.2 at Aston Villa.

Peter Bosz impressed so much in 2016 that Ajax came calling, and that same year his replacement, Shota Averladze, was in charge when they drew Dundalk in the Europa League.

The Georgian was the first of a string of flops, though, and the turgid reign of Aitor Karanka which came to an end on Sunday is viewed by many as a nadir given the style of play and lack of success.

They finished third last season, and Keane won’t have long before the serious business begins. A Europa Conference League second-round qualifier against Moldovan side Petrocub Hîncești follows a week-long training camp in Marbella next month.

Maccabi confirmed Keane’s appointment 24 hours after Karanka’s exit.

They are a club that moves quickly in every sense, and the immediate challenge will be to avoid getting swept up or overawed by the challenge that is to come.

At home, there has also been political backlash to his decision to take the job, with the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) expressing their disappointment on social media.

“There is a Palestinian sporting boycott and call for the expulsion of the Israeli FA from FIFA and UEFA due to apartheid Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people, so it is deeply disappointing to see Robbie Keane go to manage Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“The Palestinian picket line should be respected. Al Haq, Bt’selem, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International all report that Israel is practicing the crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people, a crime against humanity.”

leeds-united-manager-sam-allardyce-and-coach-robbie-keane-on-the-touchline-during-the-premier-league-match-at-elland-road-leeds-picture-date-saturday-may-13-2023 Robbie Keane (left) was part of Sam Allardyce's coaching staff for their brief tenure last season. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

But when Keane carries out media duties for the first time at 5pm local time (3pm Irish) at the Bloomfield Stadium today, it will be questions about how he plans on restoring Maccabi to the summit of domestic football that he will face.

With the largest budget in the country since 2012, the hope is that Keane’s profile and connections throughout the game will add an extra allure to attract players.

“Of course, everyone is trying to understand how come [they have chosen Keane]. He’s not a coach. It is a risk mainly for Maccabi, but Maccabi love the risk. Robbie Keane is the persona, it’s exciting. It is a big risk and they are happy to take it. The fans feel the same thing. Maybe magic will occur and Maccabi will have success,” Amir says.

Keane will be presented by chief executive Ben Mansford. Club owner Mitch Goldhar, the Jewish-Canadian billionaire, may have been the one quoted in the official press release yesterday, hailing the new manager’s “mentality, character, energy and focus of a winner”, but this appointment has been driven by Mansford.

Goldhar won’t be in attendance for Keane’s unveiling, he will log on via Zoom instead, and that’s something locals are used to. He is an absentee owner, making one or two trips per season and leaving the day-to-day running of the club to those who he has entrusted on the ground.

Mansford has returned for a second stint, having left in 2019 after previous spells with Barnsley and Leeds United. He was at the helm of Blackpool until May, one of his final acts the hiring and then firing of Mick McCarthy as they slipped out of the Championship.

Another link given Keane was on his coaching staff with Ireland while also Jonathan Woodagte’s No.2 at Middlesbrough.

Those who have worked with Mansford describe a decent, approachable character who understands his boundaries. He was not one to visit the training pitch at Blackpool but would be a regular in the dressing room on match day to wish players well and also greet them after full-time.

Keane is understood to have beaten Daniel Sousa to Maccabi job and his recent interview with Mansford is viewed as the clincher. It had seemed as though the Portuguese was in pole position.

He previously worked as an analyst for Andre Villas-Boas when he was in charge at Porto, Chelsea, Spurs and Zenit St Petersburg, before becoming Villas Boas’ assistant at Marseille and then taking over Gil Vicente in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Robbie Keane is for sure the biggest name to come in Israeli football ever,” Amir believes.

Still, managing upwards will be crucial, likewise his new dressing room. The influence of veteran star and club captain Eran Zahavi could prove a crucial factor while the Tel Aviv derby with Hapoel comes four games into the league campaign on 23 September.

“That will be boiling,” Levy insists. “It is a game that goes way beyond football. It is about politics and society. The stress will pile up if they don’t win.”

Keane will soon learn that as a manager he will be the one to take it all on his shoulders.

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    Mute John Fitz
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:11 PM

    Fair play and well deserved.
    Obviously Munster have a long way to go. And some serious issues in terms of squad build, retirements and finances, but…
    Hard not to see the progress under Rowntree.
    In terms of style of play, player promotion and the overall feeling of progress it’s miles ahead of JVG era

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:50 PM

    @John Fitz: 100 percent agree

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    Mute Andy O'Shea
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:01 PM

    Sweet Jesus, read the article. Voted for by the head coaches. His peers picked him, not some randomer on the street.

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:52 PM

    @Andy O’Shea: why read when you can just shoot from the hip

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    Mute Andrew Slazenger
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:49 PM

    Jake White finished 2nd in league, beat the best team on paper in the semi, if Bulls win on Sat (probable) then surely he is URC coach of the season

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:37 AM

    @Andrew Slazenger: Munster won it last year. I’d say the award for rowntree is in recognition of the good work he’s done for Munster in his tenure. Getting to the semi final and wins away in South Africa continued his success from the previous. Demonstrated that it was not a “flash in the pan”.

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    Mute Justin Robinson
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:05 PM

    Backing up winning an arguably undeserved or shock trophy by finishing top of the log was a great effort, especially in the light of the injuries. I don’t begrudge GR the award although he’d probably be the first to say it feels a bit hollow at the moment.

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    Mute Stuart
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:22 PM

    Given the biggest upset in URC history happened 5 days ago , think a certain coach in blue should have been in for a shout. Ah well. Well just take a third final in a row in the republic to keep the finances rolling in.

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    Mute TL55
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:41 PM

    @Stuart: Agreed. Both finalists head coaches must’ve run him close.

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:43 PM

    @Stuart: how is 2nd beating 3rd the biggest upset in history?
    Surely that’s a bit far fetched ?

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:00 PM

    @Stuart: you are correct, Franco smith would be a good shout.

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:49 PM

    @Stuart: No surprise their SA fans are the worse fans in the world all i see is them crying moaning even when they win

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:58 PM

    @damien reidy: didnt the bulls beat lenister plenty times too not biggest shock at all

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    Mute Rob O'Connor
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:16 PM

    @Square: ok flip the script, say it was now a Munster v Leinster final… wouldn’t you feel aggrieved if the Blues or Glasgow coach was voted coach of the season? I’m guessing this vote was done before the semi finals…

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:42 PM

    @Rob O’Connor: finishing top of the table probably reflects better as a more consistent coach than winning a few knock out games does.

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:46 PM

    @Rob O’Connor: it’s for the whole season… 13 game unbeaten run wining both games in South Africa as well
    I think it’s pretty good call

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:47 PM

    @Square: I agree… but high Veldt logic can be a bit nuts at the best of times
    Ask Eben Rassie and DDA

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:04 PM

    @damien reidy: i think my reply was for stuart

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:06 PM

    @Square: sorry boss

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    Mute Ciaran Kennedy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:20 PM

    @Stuart: what are you smoking! Glasgow Munster is always close, yes it was an upset but hardly a big one

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    Mute damien reidy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:31 PM

    @Ciaran Kennedy: think he was talking about the bulls beating Leinster

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:46 PM

    @damien reidy: yes even both semi finals were allways going to be close both bulls and the scotish side are bogey sides for the irish

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:38 AM

    @Stuart: based on one game?

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:40 AM

    @Rob O’Connor: getting to the late stages of the comp, including excellent wins in SA engineered through shrewd tactical selections, while also dealing with the injury crises and personnel changes he’s had to deal is a sign of a good coach.

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    Mute Eoin H
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:22 PM

    Leo has been robbed here, you need to be an unique head coach to go trophyless with a group of players who won back to back 6n, a test series in New Zealand and 17 international test matches on the trot including beating every tier 1 side

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    Mute J M
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:55 PM

    @Eoin H: as a leinster supporter i wholeheartedly agree!

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    Mute seamus Beirne
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:42 PM

    Based on selection last week alone, I would have disqualified him. Possibly, the worst team selection blunder I have seen. He is a decent guy and has Munster in a better place than before. But his decision to leave Snyman and Coombes out in a home SF defies all logic to me. Definitely one of the finalist’s manger should be getting this award which should be subsequent to the final. Meaningless anyway.

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:25 PM

    @seamus Beirne: Should have left Snyman out altogether, he was hopeless when he came on.

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    Mute J M
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:55 PM

    @Ray Ridge: Thought i was watching the basketball with those terrible no-look passes from snyman

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    Mute James
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:07 PM

    @J M: Greatest 2nd row to ever play the game according to some.

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    Mute Brenda Collins
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    Jun 20th 2024, 9:44 AM

    @seamus Beirne: agree on Snyman when the available alternative was not Edogbo or Ahern, who are outstanding athletes in their own right, but to be fair, springing Coombes from the bench to deliver huge impact at 50 or 60 minutes was a master stroke over the previous few games, so I get why he stuck with that. Perhaps he could have sprung him earlier, but he was game-changing from the bench in those earlier games.

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    Mute Tony Kelly
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:07 PM

    What a handsome chap he is too !

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:30 PM

    @Tony Kelly: Even more handsome than Leo!!

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    Mute Aidan Farrell
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:22 PM

    Blew a handy URC title last weekend. Nothing surprises me in rugby anymore. Mediocrity being celebrated everywhere you look.

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 12:43 PM

    @Aidan Farrell: Jesus 5 years trophyless. I thought ye were the best team on the planet? U must be in a lot of pain. :-D

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    Mute Robert O'Connor
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:25 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: your maths needs work, ye harp on about your singular league trophy in at least a decade so much you must’ve forgotten the last time Leinster won one.

    In all serious you can troll without blatant lies just go off and think about it a little because what you’re saying makes you seem pretty pathetic. If you need me to spell it out for you just respond with more lies

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:35 PM

    @Robert O’Connor: look at u. U couldn’t help yourself. U can’t take it :-D hahaha. 5 years and counting buddy! Looool

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    Mute Mark Symmons
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:40 PM

    @Aidan Farrell: just Irish rugby. We are world beaters at it. Expecting a look back doc on RTE2 any day now on that time we beat an All Blacks 15 on holiday in Chicago.

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    Mute John Sunderland
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    Jun 19th 2024, 3:52 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: 15 years for Munster

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:21 PM

    @John Sunderland: incorrect. We won it last year buddy. Lol :-D

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    Mute John Sunderland
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:24 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: 15 years and counting buddy lol

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    Mute John Paul Mullins
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    Jun 19th 2024, 5:14 PM

    @John Sunderland: u obviously can’t read buddy. Try again. Lol

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    Mute John Sunderland
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    Jun 19th 2024, 5:27 PM

    @John Paul Mullins: look at u couldn’t help urself :) hahahaha 15 years and counting buddy loool

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    Mute Square
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    Jun 19th 2024, 2:49 PM

    Well desreved

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jun 19th 2024, 4:01 PM
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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Jun 19th 2024, 1:47 PM

    What? They won Nahin sure?

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    Mute PatN
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    Jun 20th 2024, 11:50 AM

    I find it hard to understand why it was deemed a major upset that the second placed Bulls beat third placed Leinster at home at altitude. The only URC team that has figured out how to win in SA is Munster, and for that alone Roundtree should be coach of the year.

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