Robbie Keane dismisses political involvement amidst criticism during Maccabi Tel Aviv unveiling

The press conference held by The Dubliner’s on Tuesday was a comprehensive affair, with 42-year-old Keane addressing political criticism surrounding his decision to work in Israel. Despite facing disapproval from Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews, who labeled Maccabi as an ‘apartheid’ club due to Israel’s actions in Palestine, Keane made it clear that he did not want to delve into politics. He firmly stated that he was present as a football professional who is passionate about the game. The rest of the conference included a virtual address from Mitchell Goldhar, the club’s Canadian owner, who faced probing questions on various topics.

During the press conference, Keane expressed that he had turned down previous opportunities to step into a managerial role, but he believes that his experience as an assistant and as a captain in his playing career has prepared him for this new chapter. Keane emphasized that he is not afraid of challenges and spoke about his previous experiences in the USA and India. He stated that many English players are hesitant to try different opportunities and cultures, but he personally is excited by this new opportunity.

When discussing his coaching philosophy, Keane emphasized his desire to win. He mentioned that he has his own philosophy and believes that his approach to the game played a crucial role in his appointment. He wants to play attractive football that the fans can be proud of and wants to dominate possession while being efficient in the final third. Keane is determined to bring success to the club, as they have not won a title in three years, which is considered a crisis for them.

Goldhar, the owner, acknowledged the disappointment of last year’s team’s performance and admitted that a significant investment had not yielded the desired results. However, he was defensive when questioned about the high turnover of managers during his ownership, stating that some of the changes were due to coaches being offered jobs at bigger clubs. He rejected the notion that the turnover reflects poorly on the club.

Keane, echoing his owner’s sentiment, emphasized his belief in the club’s ability to compete for honors. He listed influential past managers and spoke about discussions he had with Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid. Keane made it clear that he is a winner and expects everyone around him to have the same mentality. He understands that opinions and criticisms are part of the game but remains focused on doing his best for the club.

Finally, when asked about the personal challenges he faced in the past year, including the passing of his mother, Keane acknowledged the support and influence she had on his life. He believes that she would be proud of him and his achievements. Overall, Keane expressed confidence in himself and the team that will support him, emphasizing that he is ready to face the pressure and hit the ground running from day one.

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