Roy Keane to become new Israel manager?

Israeli FA chairman Ofer Eini is set to meet Roy Keane to discuss the possibility of him taking charge of the national side.

News site ONE has reported Eini is considering an approach for the current Republic of Ireland assistant manager, to take over from Elisha Levy for the start of the European 2020 qualifiers.

The former Manchester United midfielder has been Martin O’Neill’s deputy since 2013, though has stressed in the past a wish to return to management.

The report says: “Ofer Eini, chairman of the Israel Football Association, is considering the possibility of appointing Roy Keane as coach of the Israeli national team. Eini is backing coach Elisha Levy, but is not happy with the way the team looks and is considering replacing Elisha at the end of the campaign with the former player, who currently serves as assistant coach of the Ireland national team.”

While adding no official approach has yet been made, and the FAI (Irish Football Association) refusing to comment on the reports, Keane’s contract with Ireland ends at the end of the current 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Israel are currently building for that campaign, having been resigned to missing out on the 2018 World Cup. Their last match was an embarassing 3-0 home defeat by Albania which saw them drop down to joint-third in their qualifying group, seven points behind joint-leaders both Spain and Italy – with only the group winners qualifying for Russia 2018 and the top second placed teams progressing to the play-offs.