Robbie Keane recruits ex-team mate and Premier League cult hero to join him at Maccabi Tel Aviv after shock appointment

ROBBIE KEANE has added a familiar face to his backroom staff after taking over in his new role at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The former Spurs and Republic of Ireland legend shocked the footballing world when he was appointed as the new Maccabi Tel Aviv manager earlier this week.

Keane has signed a two-year contract with the Isreali club after spending five years away from management.

He is now finalising his backroom staff and has added one of his old teammates to his roster of coaches.

Former Stoke midfielder and Republic of Ireland compatriot Rory Delap has been announced as Keane’s assistant head coach.

Delap was most recently working at his former club Stoke City, as a development and first team coach.

The former Potter isn’t the only old colleague of Keane’s to join him in Israel with ex-Ireland coach Andy Liddell appointed as the club’s new senior fitness coach.

Keane has been brought in to improve on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s third place finish in the Isreali Premier League last season.

But he seemed ready for the task at hand in his first interview for the club.

Keane said: “I am delighted to take on this challenge.

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“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.”

The former striker hasn’t been at the helm of a club since he was player manager at Indian side ITK in 2018.

Since then he has held coaching roles with Middlesborough, Leeds United and the Republic of Ireland national team.