ROBBIE KEANE was left reeling on Thursday night after his Maccabi Tel Aviv side suffered a humiliating exit from the Europa Conference League.
The Republic of Ireland legend had made a bright start to life as manager of the Israeli side since taking over last July.
The Tallaght native won his first trophy back in January by beating Maccabi Haifa in the final of Israel’s Toto Cup.
Meanwhile, they seemed well placed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League following a 4-1 first leg win over Olympiacos.
The second leg took place at home for Keane's men, but the night ended in humiliating capitulation as they blew a three-goal lead to lose 7-5 on aggregate.
Tel Aviv's first leg lead was wiped out before half-time, when goals from Daniel Podence, Konstantinos Fortounis, and Ayoub El Kaabi put the Greek giants 3-0 up.
Eran Zahavi's penalty on 57 minutes put Maccabi back in front, before another El Kaabi finish sent the game to extra-time.
It was in the additional 30 minutes that the job was done, as Stevan Jovetic and Youssek El Arabi sealed the stunning 6-1 win and dumped Robbie Keane and co. out of Europe.
Keane's decision to coach Tel Aviv has not been without its criticism, with Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald among those to hit out at Ireland's all-time record goalscorer.
His spell in charge has come amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
However, Keane insisted that only wanted to focus on football, saying at his introductory press conference: "This is the last time I will say it.
"I’m here as a football man and someone that loves the game. I will certainly just focus on that."
However, McDonald said that the Dubliner had made the wrong decision in taking over the Israeli side.
She told the Irish Examiner back in December: "No, I don't think he has and I know some people say sport and politics shouldn't mix.
"I think sport should be a force for good, for human capacity and human excellence and enjoyment and participation.
"I have a real problem with sport when it is under the remit of an apartheid regime and where genocide is being committed.
"I know lots and lots of sportspeople in Ireland and beyond have taken an incredibly firm stand on the Palestinian question, just as lots of sporting people did - and I'm thinking our rugby team, rugby players in particular - in respect of apartheid South Africa.
"I think leaders have to lead in times like this and I think sporting people, sporting heroes, have such an influence and such a reach."
