Robbie Keane could be on the verge of an MLS comeback as a head coach — and his trademark rolling goal celebration might even follow him into the technical area.
On Saturday, the Republic of Ireland legend made it known that he’s ready to return to coaching after a brief hiatus. The former striker led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the 2023-24 Israeli Premier League title in his only season at the helm, also winning the Toto Cup and reaching the UEFA Conference League round of 16 during his brief tenure. He left after the end of a season where Israeli soccer was disrupted by the escalating conflict in the region.
“I think it’s no secret I was fortunate enough last year to win the league and a cup, and did well in Europe, and took a bit of time off – and now I’m ready to come back,” Keane told MLS Season Pass on Apple TV after his former side, the LA Galaxy, won its sixth MLS Cup by defeating the New York Red Bulls. “There’s a few conversations going on in Europe and the MLS. Listen, I’ve been part of this league for five and a half years and, like I said, it’s only going to grow. I’d like to continue that, so let’s see. I’d like to ruffle some feathers, you know.”
Currently in MLS, there are five coaching vacancies: Atlanta United, New York City FC, the Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC, and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Keane added, on the broadcast, that “hopefully we will be here (in the final) in a few years.”
Keane retired from his playing career on November 28, 2018, having followed his stint with the Galaxy with one final year at Indian Super League team ATK. That move included his first foray into management, serving as player-coach from March 2018 until he hung up his boots. Keane then took assistant roles, first with the Ireland national team, before joining Jonathan Woodgate’s backroom at Middlesbrough and Sam Allardyce’s staff at Leeds United.
Keane also completed his UEFA Pro coaching license in 2020, a prerequisite for coaching at Europe’s highest level.
He didn’t get a dedicated head coaching role until 2023, when he joined Israeli heavyweight Maccabi. While Keane’s team was successful, he struggled with the geopolitical implications of working in the nation in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas and ensuing responsive violence from Israel.
Last month, Keane’s wife Claudine spoke about the family’s safety concerns due to his employment with the club. Keane received criticism from some national team fans after he presented caps to players at a Republic of Ireland camp.
“I would just like to remind a certain small group of individuals: my family, my children, and I live in Ireland, this is our home,” Claudine posted on social media. “I feel extremely uncomfortable and sometimes intimidated by some messages again from a small group that are hurtful, threatening and dangerous. They not only genuinely put our safety and wellbeing as a family at risk, they are using a sportsperson as a political pawn and, in doing so, inciting hatred by making absolutely outrageous accusations. I always felt safe in Ireland until now.”
Keane was on-hand as the Galaxy won its sixth MLS Cup title, adding to the trio that the team won during Keane’s tenure in Los Angeles. He said
it was a great honor” for him to witness Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic celebrate the team’s second goal against New York with Keane’s patented cartwheel and roll celebration.
As for the famed move, Keane gave a deadpan response to suggestions from Apple’s broadcast crew that he might use it to celebrate as an MLS coach.
“If we win,” he said.
(Top photo: Harry How/ Getty Images)
