During the offseason, many in MLS take time to get away from the game, but LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane has chosen the opposite route—using the preseason as time to receive his UEFA A and B coaching credentials.
In an in-depth interview with his former Republic of Ireland teammate Kevin Kilbane in The Daily Mail, Keane touched on a variety of topics including his position with the Galaxy -- Keane describes himself as the team's "number 10" -- to the best XI players that have played alongside the Irishman. However, his interest in coaching after his playing days are over was the most enlightening.
“I just want it for when I do finish playing but I have just signed a two year contract and hopefully will play beyond that,” Keane said. “I was apprehensive because you are out of your comfort zone but I was surprised when I got out there the first time and really enjoyed it. When you are on the training pitch you see things and as soon as I got out there and saw the picture I was surprised.
“It was a natural progression. What else am I going to do? I won’t go down the media road, I enjoy it out there every day too much,” Keane added. “I’ve been very vocal about ex-players being involved, we don’t see it enough in Ireland but it is starting to happen in England and hopefully with this FAI course, others will get involved.
The LA Captain also discussed his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Jermain Defoe’s signing with Toronto FC, noting that he’ll be faced with pressure from the outset to start due to his Designated Player status.
“[Designated Players] have to produce all the time and the lads there rely on you and look to you when it’s not going well to score or create a goal, change the game, get it by the scruff of the neck,” said Keane. “There, because of what you’re getting paid with the wages structure, everything is about you. The press wants you all the time and you are the face of the team that brings pressure.
“They are reliant on him to score and they look at what he is getting paid, which is normal over there, and there comes expectations with those wages,” Keane added.
