Robbie Keane seemed content during a light conversation with journalists in Budapest on Wednesday after fielding questions about his solitary season coaching Maccabi Tel Aviv to an Israeli league title.
Early days as the Ferencváros manager have proved the opposite to Keane’s hectic year in Tel Aviv, when his decision to see out the campaign after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 led to a torrent of criticism in Ireland.
In Hungary the focus is back on football, rather than politics, as the fanatical “Green Monster” ultras demand instant results from the former Republic of Ireland captain.
“To make clear, I resigned from my post [at Maccabi],” said Keane ahead of the final Europa League group game against Troy Parrott’s Dutch club AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night in the Hungarian capital.
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“Football and politics should be separated. I’m a football person, always have been, so that’s the one thing I’ve always focused on. I’ve never really got into that side and never will.”
When queried about the criticism from Ireland, Keane expressed relief that the ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas began on January 19th.
“I appreciate it’s a completely sensitive situation to people and thankfully for everybody’s sake, it’s finished: nobody wants to see a war,” he said. “I’ve got a duty of care to my family also, I’ve got two boys. I’m very sensitive to that for them and their wellbeing.
“Was it tough? Unfortunately, I can’t control what people say. I get that it’s a complex situation.”
Keane also provided his rationale to taking managerial jobs with big budget clubs, like Maccabi and Ferencváros, in mid-tier Uefa countries. Essentially, the 44-year-old is seeking longevity as a manager.
“I’m not scared to coach abroad,” he explained. “I think that’s the problem with some coaches, they’re scared to get out of their comfort zone.
“Whereas in my situation, maybe because I left Ireland at a young age and England was never my home; I played in Italy [Inter Milan], in America [LA Galaxy], in Scotland [Celtic], having that experience of different cultures can only stand you in good stead going forward.
“And I always admire coaches that go abroad, for example Roy Hodgson and Graham Potter.
“I’m really enjoying this route that I am taking. I know where I want to be and I know what I have to do to get there and being a coach, you could be a coach for 20 years, you don’t need to rush it, you don’t have to look for the first one quickly and be desperate. It doesn’t bother me as long as it’s the right club.”
Keane’s home bow as Ferencváros manager is a guaranteed baptism of fire as last week’s 2-0 loss away to Eintracht Frankfurt leaves the Hungarian champions on the cusp of elimination from Europe with a Budapest derby to follow on Sunday against MTK.
Both Keane and his assistant coach Rory Delap knew precisely what was expected when linking up with the Ferencváros squad in Spain earlier this month during the Hungarian league’s winter break.
The pressure to capture a seventh consecutive league title would buckle the knees of many inexperienced managers, although Ferencváros president Gábor Kubatov, a leading politician in Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, appointed Keane on the back of guiding Maccabi to the knock-out stages of the Uefa Conference League in 2024.
Enormous expectations stem from the club receiving at least €73 million in state sponsorship since Kubatov took over from former Sheffield United owner Kevin McCabe in 2011.
Ferencváros' leafy training complex is a five-minute drive from the 23,000 capacity Groupama Arena, which is a smooth tram ride out of Budapest city centre. Replete with five outdoor pitches, indoor pool and gym, and a hotel for athletes on campus, ideally the FAI can transform its Abbotstown headquarters into something similar with a €47 million investment – if funding can be sourced.
“I am not here to answers questions about that,” Keane replied. “Of course it would be great if the League of Ireland could get bigger. But this is a completely different structure in terms of finances. Of course it could work if you had the backing.
“We’ve seen how the League of Ireland has grown in the last few years. The more that continues also gives younger players the opportunity to get first-team football very quickly. You have more of a chance to play in the League of Ireland then you would in England. That is only going to help the national team”
Maccabi could do Keane a favour on Thursday night by beating Porto as the Portuguese are a point behind them in 25th of 36 Europa League sides. The top eight, which includes Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, go directly into the Last 16 with ninth through 24th entering a playoff. Ferencváros are 22nd with Keane and afellow former Ireland international Delap rushing through a new system.
“Changing from one coach to another has been easier than one might expect,” said Stefan Gartenmann, the Danish defender. “I wouldn’t say we are back to basics but the manager and the staff want to make football easier for us. There were times in the fall when we complicated things too much. I think it is a good change of pace to simplify things a little bit.”
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