“Robbie and his staff faithfully fulfilled their duties under difficult circumstances for which I am and will always be grateful.”
“Robbie, the club and fans will always be connected through the challenging and successful 2023/24 campaign.”
Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer was forced to flee Israel following the October 7th attacks, with the Israeli league temporarily suspended amid the outbreak of the war.
Keane’s move to Israel was greeted with controversy, with Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward criticising Keane for taking part in “sportswashing.”
Speaking last July, Ward said “obviously Keane is a legend in Irish football, we all loved watching him play and he is our record goalscorer, but surely an Irish player, who has played for Celtic, would be well aware of people’s opinions on the issue.”
Keane’s move to Israel was considered controversial even prior to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war which began in October.
In his first press conference, Keane claimed the decision to take the job was merely a footballing one as opposed to a political one.
He told the media “I don’t want to get into politics. This is the last time I will say it, I certainly don’t want to get into politics. I’m here as a football man and someone that loves the game, so I will certainly just focus on that.”
