Robbie Keane appointed manager of Hungarian side Ferencváros

The former Ireland striker left Maccabi Tel Aviv last summer.

Mon, 06 Jan, 2025 - 15:41

John Fallon

Robbie Keane is back in management, appointed to lead Hungarian giants Ferencváros.

Ireland’s record goalscorer enjoyed a successful but controversial introduction his standalone managerial career when taking charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

He remained with the Israel club despite the escalation of conflict with Palestine in October 2023, eventually quitting in the summer after reclaiming the domestic title for the club.

Ferencváros, currently second in the Hungarian league, had shortlisted Keane for their vacancy then but opted for Pascal Jansen. The Dutchman’s recent departure for New York City – part of Manchester City’s parent company - reactivated their interest in the 44-year-old and he arrived in Budapest on Sunday night to complete negotiations.

His former Ireland teammate Rory Delap will once again be part of his coaching staff.

“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,” read a Ferencváros statement.

Keane will head straight to Murcia where his new team are undergoing a warm-weather training camp during a brief winter break. They have friendlies on Friday and next Wednesday.

As well as maintaining their title hunt, the team are involved in a Europa League campaign. That resumes on January 23 away to Eintracht Frankfurt before the complete the league phase by hosting AZ Alkmaar, the Dutch side whose attack is spearheaded by Troy Parrott. The young striker was compared with Keane when emerging through the ranks at his former club Tottenham. Parrott was handed his senior Ireland debut in 2019 when Keane was Mick McCarthy’s assistant.

Ferencváros are currently situated 16th of 36 teams in the new Europa League table format, guaranteed a playoff but seeking points to smooth their progression to the knockout stages automatically.

Keane inherits a talented and multi-national squad, packed with quality talent such as loanee Naby Keïta from Werder Bremen. However, the core of his side is Hungarian, several players part of the national team set to duel with Ireland later this year in the World Cup qualification group.