Robbie not so Keane on Boys in Green

Why is Robbie Keane, a legend in Irish football, so hell bent on constantly damaging his legacy?

We all know the story of how this “cheeky bollocks” rang Mick McCarthy out of the blue in 2018, seemingly forcing his way on to the yet to be formed Irish coaching set up. How Ireland’s record goal scorer had managed to secure a four-year deal when Mick barely had two, meaning an overlap of sorts would be inevitable with the incoming Stephen Kenny.

Now, before you scream at me, I’m not blaming Robbie Keane for the contractual mess we currently find ourselves in. Afterall, it was the master of kamikaze economics John Delaney who signed off on the deal. Although, as I’ve said in a previous article, Keane hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory here, either. Quite the opposite in fact.

Robbie Keane contacted Mick McCarthy about assisting him (Image: The Sun)

To be clear, Robbie Keane has done nothing wrong; he was given a contract, albeit a stupid contract and is entitled to collect every penny. However, with Irish football in the toilet and the FAI on the precipice of financial disaster, couldn’t the very wealthy footballer just walk away?

A lot of people will scoff at the idea that a millionaire should have mercy on such an inept organisation, so bereft of competency or class. However, should the sins of the old FAI be carried by the sins of the new? If we are to have any hope of levelling up with the rest of Europe in terms of developing the game, then no. It would literally be biting your nose off to spite your face.

Keane is still famously contracted to the FAI (Image: Extra.ie)

With the cost of covid affecting sport around the world and not just Ireland, there are real jobs for decent ordinary folk at stake in Abbottstown. That €250,00 per year deal that Keane finds himself on, is a massive drain on resources and could easily be utilised for much needed development of the game.

Robbie Keane should have been smart and stepped aside graciously when Stephen Kenny opted against the use of his services. Instead, Keane who was reportedly fuming after his snub from the Ireland manager has decided to hold firm and collect his doe. All €500,000 of it. Leaving plenty of Irish fans annoyed or uncomfortable at best.

What did he expect? I’ve no doubt that the situation was handled as smoothly as the old Lansdowne Road pitch, but shouldn’t you just take the high road and bite your tongue? Move on, waive the contract, and bask in the goodwill and praise, because no doubt that’s what would have happened and rightly so.

Keane’s famous goal against Germany in 2002 (Image: The 42)

It’s a shame, because Robbie Keane does so much good work for charity and when I met him for a photo back in October 2019, he was pure class.

I lay absolutely no blame at the door of Stephen Kenny, either. The Ireland manager is perfectly entitled to pick whoever he wants on his coaching staff. You cannot and should not force anyone upon a manager, it would be utterly stupid. Besides, Kenny had acquired the services of the highly rated Damien Duff who was praised upon his leaving of Parkhead. Granted, that didn’t quite work out.

I’ve heard people say that because Robbie Keane is such a legend, the Ireland manager should have taken him on board regardless. Why? No offence to Keane, but he was hardly pulling up trees at with Ireland or Middlesborough on the coaching side for that matter. The latter role only lasting a year. When Mick McCarthy was offered a quick return to management with APOEL Nicosia and subsequently Cardiff, Keane’s name wasn’t even mentioned as part of a package. That speaks volumes.

Keane on the training pitch with Ireland in 2019 (Image: The 42)

In July of last year, the new FAI chief Jonathan Hill, who seemed enamoured with the Ireland legend, had criticised the FAI’s handling of the situation and even apologised to Robbie Keane in person. Fair enough, diplomacy and all that. There was even talk of perhaps finding another role for Keane, to use his standing in world football to the FAI’s advantage, in an ambassadorial role of sorts. A role that Keane would be perfect for in my opinion.

Of course, none of that talk has materialised into anything substantial.

This is one encounter that breeds no winners, only losers. On the 26th of March, the Boys in Green will welcome the World’s Number One team and Robbie Keane, still on the FAI dime, will be lining out nearly 300 miles away in Ibrox to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Glasgow Rangers. Funny, I thought they were only 10…

How can that happen?

Robbie Keane should have a part to play for the betterment of Irish football, regardless of his contract, it’s a damn shame he doesn’t.

David, The Green Machíne Podcast