Robbie Keane: Ireland’s Greatest Goalscorer | OneFootball

It hasn’t been the easiest experience growing up supporting the Republic of Ireland in the 2000s. A huge positive the younger generation will take from some of these experiences is the brilliance of one of Ireland’s greatest: Robbie Keane.

Cast your mind back to August 2016, when Robbie Keane lines out for his beloved nation one last time against Oman. This bittersweet night brought us the joy of seeing the legendary striker wheel away into his classic celebration one last time as he scores his 68th and last goal for Ireland. Since then, we haven’t experienced such a level of striker to lead an Irish team in a way that has influenced a whole generation of fans.

In 2018, Robbie Keane hung up his boots, leaving a successful career behind with the view of carrying it on to the touchline.

On January 6th, 2025, Keane was appointed as the next head coach of the Hungarian side, Ferencváros. This follows his questionable reign at Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv. With the jury out on the theme of Robbie Keane’s managerial career, let’s have a look at how he got to where he is today and the magnitude of his legacy.

Tallaght’s Talent: Where It Started for Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane was raised in Tallaght, Dublin, where he was born. At the age of 10, he joined the Dublin schoolboy team Crumlin United after beginning his football career with the local team Fettercairn. His talent was immediately apparent. Keane was bursting with passion for the game from day dot. Keane’s family and friends fostered his love for the game, which then helped him hone the abilities that would eventually make him a household name in the Premier League.

By 16, he was already on his way to English football. With Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers vying for his signature, he chose the latter to give himself a better chance of fast-tracking his way into first-team football.

The Dubliner’s First Dabble In England

After signing for Wolves, Robbie Keane advanced through the ranks at the club before making his professional debut at the age of 17. In this game against Norwich City, he found himself notching a brace, which ultimately led to him hitting the ground running. With 16 goals in the 1998–1999 season, he became the team’s top scorer. This led to other clubs expressing an interest in Keane due to his performances and goal-scoring record with club and country. Additionally, Wolves’ financial situation was not sustainable at the time; therefore, a move for the young striker appeared imminent.

Only a few weeks into the 1999–2000 campaign, he was sold to Coventry City of the Premier League for £6 million, which at the time was a British record for a teenager. With two goals in his debut against Derby County, Keane got off to a fantastic start. During a successful season at Coventry, he played a major role in a stylish attacking side boasting the likes of former Liverpool icon Gary McAllister. Throughout his 34 games, Keane scored 12 goals, all of which were in the Premier League. There was no question that this would spark even greater attention for the young Dub, and it did!

Inter Milan: The Short & Not-So-Sweet Italian Dream

Robbie Keane was signed by Italian Serie A club Inter Milan for a fee of £13 million in July 2000, signing a five-year contract, following a successful stint at the Sky Blues in the Premier League. Marcello Lippi, the legendary manager who had won Serie A three times with Juventus in the 1990s, had come to view this relatively unknown, humble Irishman as a player who could help the Nerazzurri win a Scudetto for the first time in more than a decade.

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However, after following the footsteps of fellow Irish legend Liam Brady, Keane’s dream move to Italy soon soured when manager Marcello Lippi was dismissed. Lippi’s successor, Marco Tardelli, deemed Keane to be surplus to requirements at the star-studded Inter. Problematically, neither Tardelli nor Lippi ever fully identified Keane’s role in their teams. More often used as a ‘secondissima punta,’ he was attempted as an out-and-out forward but was more of a creator than a finisher, feeding off and nipping around a central figure like Şükür or Iván Zamorano.

Keane later attributed his lack of success in this new role to his age, saying, “I was probably too young when I went.” In a 2014 interview with Kevin Kilbane, he stated, “It would have suited me playing in that hole if I had gone later.”

In December 2000, he was loaned out to David O’Leary’s Leeds United.

Robbie Keane made 14 appearances for Inter in all competitions, scoring three goals, his most memorable coming two minutes into the Supercoppa Italiana match against Lazio.

Return to English Football

Following a successful loan spell at Leeds United, the move was immediately made permanent in a deal reaching £12 million. This move would not prove as successful as anticipated. After dropping down the pecking order, Keane found himself on the chopping block and left for Tottenham Hotspur for £7 million after only managing to score 9 goals in 33 games for Leeds.

From 2002 to 2008, Robbie Keane’s first stint at Tottenham Hotspur was a fruitful and significant time in his career. His skill, work ethic, and ability to score goals made him a fan favourite right away. Keane was a major offensive danger for Spurs, scoring more than 100 goals and forming important attacking combinations, most notably with Dimitar Berbatov. He led the squad as captain and was a key contributor to their 2008 League Cup triumph. Keane’s first stay cemented his status as one of Tottenham’s all-time greats.

Robbie Keane joined Liverpool in 2008. “I’ve been a Liverpool fan all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin, and I always had a Liverpool shirt on my back,” Robbie Keane remarked upon joining the Reds for a then-club-record sum. I’m very happy to be here now as a Liverpool player, and it’s amazing.” Keane only scored seven goals in 28 games, falling short of expectations despite struggling to establish consistent form. He never really bonded with Fernando Torres, and in January 2009, he was sold back to Tottenham after just one season. Keane’s potential was clear, but under then-manager Rafael Benítez, it never materialised despite his dismal stint at Liverpool.

Keane rejoined Tottenham on 2 February 2009, signing for a basic fee of £12 million, potentially rising to £16 million with add-ons. During this time, Robbie Keane regained his form and contributed significantly, scoring important goals. His second spell at Tottenham was marked by key moments, including his partnership with fellow forward Jermain Defoe.

Following loans at Celtic and West Ham, he was later sold to LA Galaxy in 2011.

The American Dream

Keane emerged as one of Major League Soccer’s most notable players throughout his six seasons at the club, distinguished by his clinical finishing, leadership, and goal-creation skills.

Keane spearheaded the success of football in Los Angeles during this period, despite the fact that he wasn’t the most well-known athlete competing in the USA, particularly following the infamous image of him at an NBA game with Russell Brand and David Beckham, which led to him being labelled a fan by the media.

He might’ve left LA more known as he was voted the 2014 MLS MVP and helped guide the Galaxy to three MLS Cup victories in 2011, 2012, and 2014. During his time, Keane’s efforts were essential to the team’s success, and he forged a strong partnership with star player Landon Donovan. Before leaving MLS in 2016, he established himself as one of the team’s finest players ever with 165 games, 104 goals, and 43 assists.

Ireland’s Captain, Leader, Legend

Keane was a member of the Irish youth football “golden generation” of the late 1990s. Keane was a member of the winning U18 team in Cyprus when the underdog Republic of Ireland had success at the UEFA U16 and U18 European championships in 1998 under the direction of Brian Kerr.

This ultimately led to Robbie Keane’s senior international career with the Republic of Ireland spanning over nearly two decades, making him one of the most significant figures in Irish football history. Keane made his debut in 1998 at just 18 years old, and over the course of his career, he became the national team’s all-time top scorer with 68 goals in 146 appearances. His longevity and consistency in front of goal ensured his place as a key player for Ireland through numerous qualification campaigns and changing managerial regimes.

Keane’s first major international tournament was the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he impressed with two goals, including a memorable equaliser against Germany. This goal for Robbie Keane is undoubtedly one of his greatest, as it brought a nation together and gave the Irish faithful belief in a successful major tournament.

Though Ireland ultimately exited in the Round of 16, Keane’s performances solidified his reputation as a rising star in world football. He would go on to play in multiple qualifiers for both the European Championships and World Cups, but despite his individual brilliance, Ireland often fell short of securing tournament spots. Keane’s determination and leadership remained evident, though, as he captained his country for over a decade, embodying the spirit of Irish football.

Keane enjoyed scoring on the big occasions for the Boys in Green. His goals against Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, along with his collaborations with forwards Shane Long and John Aldridge, were memorable. As the focal point of Ireland’s offence, Robbie Keane left a lasting legacy after formally retiring from international football in 2016. He is regarded as a genuine Irish football icon because of his leadership and goal-scoring prowess, as well as his dedication to his nation.

Controversies

Robbie Keane’s managerial career, as of now, has been relatively short but evolving. After retiring from professional football in 2018, Keane transitioned into coaching, initially taking on a role as an assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland under Martin O’Neill. His experience with the national team allowed him to learn the intricacies of management and further develop his tactical understanding, but it was clear that his ambitions stretched beyond being an assistant.

The FAI Payroll

Following his departure from the senior national team setup, it was brought to light that Keane remained on the FAI payroll.

At the time, the FAI chief executive, Jonathan Hill, was quizzed about Keane’s ongoing presence on the association’s payroll. “That’s between ourselves and Robbie in relation to his contract.” When pressed further about Keane’s duties, as the 41-year-old is believed to be earning a six-figure salary, Hill added, “I understand your question but I’m not going to be drawn into it, publicly.”

This made fans continue to question the FAI and their controversial acts as well as Keane’s morals and integrity to continue to take money from the association.

Poor Choice of Jobs?

Keane’s first significant managerial role came in 2019 when he briefly took charge of ATK in the Indian Super League. However, his time in India was short-lived, as the team struggled to make a major impact under his leadership, leading to his departure after only a few months.

Robbie Keane’s brief and controversial stint at Maccabi Tel Aviv occurred in 2023 when he joined the Israeli club. His move to Maccabi Tel Aviv raised some eyebrows, as it was unexpected and drew attention due to the club’s political and social context, as well as Keane’s high profile in world football.

Keane had initially signed with the club to assist with coaching duties, leveraging his extensive experience. However, his time in Israel was marked by controversy due to several factors.

On the back of winning the Toto Cup (Domestic Cup), Keane departed Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2024. His stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv remains one of the more puzzling and controversial chapters in his career, as it didn’t live up to expectations and seemed out of sync with his post-playing ambitions.

On 6 January 2025, Keane was appointed as the next head coach of Ferencváros.

As we know, the jury remains out on Robbie Keane’s post-playing career, but the legacy of Robbie Keane will remain at a high level with the Irish faithful. Robbie Keane’s career stands as a testament to dedication, skill, and leadership on the football pitch. With a remarkable international record and a successful club career, he became a symbol of Irish football. Keane’s versatility, goal-scoring prowess, and ability to perform in key moments made him one of the most influential players of his generation.

Beyond his on-field achievements, his professionalism and passion for the game earned him respect globally. Robbie Keane’s legacy will forever be remembered in both Irish and international football, with his contributions continuing to inspire future generations of players.