Robbie Keane takes new job on months after 'threats' from pro-Palestine activists struck fear in his family
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Former Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has been appointed as head coach of Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
The 44-year-old was confirmed as the successor to Pascal Jansen, who departed for New York City FC at the end of 2024.
A statement on Ferencvaros's official website said: "We announce the successor to Dutchman Pascal Jansen to lead our 35-time champion and 24-time cup winner team, as the 146-time national team player of the Republic of Ireland Robbie Keane has signed on Monday."
The club confirmed Keane arrived in Budapest on Sunday evening and will depart Tuesday to join the team at their training camp in Spain.
Robbie Keane came under fire because he was in charge of Israeli side Maccabi last season
PA
Keane joins Ferencvaros following a successful stint at Maccabi Tel Aviv, which he left in June last year.
During his single season in Israel, Keane led Maccabi to their first league title in four years as part of an impressive domestic double that included the League Cup.
His tenure at Maccabi was highly successful, winning 41 of his 56 games in charge.
The former Tottenham striker also guided the Israeli club to the last 16 of the European Conference League during his time at the helm.
Keane faced criticism in Ireland for continuing his role at Maccabi Tel Aviv after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's podcast last month, Keane explained his decision to stay: "We were winning the league, they hadn't won it in three years; we were in Europe and doing very, very well."
He cited a duty of care to his staff, saying: "My analyst guy for example, he's got a mortgage. He's got a family, he's got kids he has to feed."
His wife Claudine later revealed the family received "hurtful, threatening and dangerous" messages over his decision to remain in Israel.
Robbie Keane is back in management, moving to Hungary
PA
"I always felt safe in Ireland until now," she wrote on social media in November.
Keane will be joined in Budapest by assistant coach Rory Delap and analyst Phill Hudson.
His first match in charge will be a friendly against Preuben Munster on Friday.
The new Ferencvaros boss will then face his first competitive fixture on January 23, when his side travels to Frankfurt in the Europa League.
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Keane takes charge of Ferencvaros during their mid-season break, with the club well-positioned in both domestic and European competitions.
The Hungarian champions currently sit second in their domestic league, just one point behind the leaders with a game in hand.
In Europe, Ferencvaros are 16th in the 36-team Europa League League Phase table with two matches remaining.
The position gives them a strong chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.
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