THE FAI has never once approached Robbie Keane over potentially becoming the next Ireland manager.
It’s an especially interesting nugget amid Keane suddenly becoming available after quitting Maccabi Tel Aviv.
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Given how fruitless the search has proven to be over the course of eight months, one might have thought that FAI top brass would have by now mulled over the possibility of Keane being their man.
After all, not only is he one of the country’s best-ever players but he has surpassed expectations in Israel.
Granted he did take over a club with the biggest budget in the country.
However, they had not won the league since the 2019/2020 campaign and had turned into a basket case over that period by employing six different managers.
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He also led them to new heights in Europe as they reached the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League and were only eliminated by eventual winners Olympiacos.
It would appear though that Abbotstown chiefs have ruled him out of the running – likely due to the backlash that would follow a Keane appointment.
SunSport’s Football Correspondent Owen Cowzer reported as such on Friday morning.
The 43-year-old has continually shipped criticism from a sizeable proportion of the Irish population for continuing to work in Israel in the aftermath of its bloody conflict with Hamas and the people of Gaza escalating.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is the most high-profile voice to have urged him to quit in protest at the Israeli regime’s heavy-handed tactics on Palestinians.
Keane himself only addressed the political ramifications of choosing to work in Israel when he first took the job in June – five months before Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7.
At his introductory press conference he stated: “I don’t want to get into politics.
“This is the last time I will say it. I’m here as a football man and someone that loves the game.Â
“I will certainly just focus on that but thanks for your question.”