Robbie Keane to coach Hungarian champions

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP):

IRELAND FOOTBALL great Robbie Keane was hired to coach Ferencvaros, who are chasing a sixth straight Hungarian league title and looking to advance in the Europa League.

Ferencvaros said yesterday that Keane will take charge of the team today during a midwinter training camp in Spain. He replaces Pascal Jansen, the former assistant to Arne Slot at Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, who left the Budapest club last week midway through his first season.

Keane’s first competitive game is in the Europa League at Eintracht Frankfurt on January 23. Ferencvaros are on track to advance to the knockout stage by placing in the top 24 of the 36-team standings.

Five-time defending champions Ferencvaros resume their domestic league games in February, sitting in second place behind leader Puskas Akademia.

The 44-year-old Keane returns to football after leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv in the off-season. He won the Israeli league title in his debut season with Maccabi, who were affected by security issues after the attacks by Hamas.

Keane previously coached as an assistant with the Ireland national team, Middlesbrough and Leeds. His 146 appearances and 68 goals for Ireland are both national records.

In a two-decade career, Keane played for clubs including Tottenham, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Leeds and LA Galaxy.