IS ROBBIE RAEL DEAL?

Only time will Tel as Keane takes hardest job in game

- GARRY DOYLE

THERE is nothing novel about a person heading to Israel in search of a fresh start. You may recall a story about this chap called Moses who looked for the Promised Land while wandering 40 years around a desert. 

Robbie Keane will know how that feels. He had six months in Middlesbrough as Jonathan Woodgate’s assistant. It’s been onwards and sideways since then. Big Sam gave him a Premier League chance with Leeds.

Now Maccabi Tel Aviv have called.

Israel’s biggest and most successful club, have twice made it to the Champions League group stages, have won their national title 23 times, have a ground with a capacity of 29,400, and a team with a tradition of entertaining.

What’s not to like? Well, there is the fact they have gone through seven managerial changes already this decade, 29, including caretakers, this century. Keane will replace ex-Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka (inset) who only joined in January this year.