DUBLIN – The new season may have just begun, but Robbie Keane already has one eye on cementing his future with LA Galaxy.
While he may be edging a little closer to the end of his playing days, the 34-year-old has certainly not lost any of his passion. That was evident in the Galaxy’s 2-0 victory over Chicago Fire at StubHub Center last Friday.
Even though the MLS Cup champions got the new campaign off to a winning start – and Keane fired in their second goal with a superb strike – he was visibly frustrated with certain aspects of their performance. Ever the perfectionist, he demands more.
It is why the Galaxy captain has entered into talks with the club to stick around for a “few more years.” He has his immediate targets set on a fourth MLS Cup, as well as progression in the CONCACAF Champions League, with Bruce Arena’s team.
During a preseason trip to Dublin, Keane got to see just how popular Galaxy have become on the other side of the Atlantic. But he played down speculation of an imminent return home to finish out his career in the League of Ireland, because he feels he’s still got unfinished business in MLS.
“I hate to say never [about returning home] because you just don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” Keane told Soccer Republic on Irish TV channel RTE during the Galaxy's preseason visit to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, an interview that aired publicly Monday night. “I’ve still got a year left at the Galaxy and we’re negotiating another contract at the moment, so that will keep me there for a few more years.
“Who knows? But it’s certainly not something at the moment that I’m looking at. But in the future you don’t know. After I finish playing, it is the coaching that I want to get into.”
Keane has a year and an option left on his current deal, according to a Galaxy spokesperson who also confirmed that the two parties "continue to have conversations" regarding an extension.
One of the reasons why Keane is so eager to prolong his time in MLS is the chance for an extended partnership with one-time Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, who will arrive in the summer as the Galaxy’s latest marquee signing.
The recruitment of the former England captain sends out a serious message about the club’s intentions to seek more glory.
“Steven [Gerrard] is going to be a huge addition to the squad. He is a fantastic player and he’s a great lad also," Keane said. "I know by speaking to him that he’s very, very excited and looking forward to it.
“It’s a completely different challenge than what he’s used to. I left Ireland when I was 15, he’s been in Liverpool all of his life and he’s never left there, so it will be different for him. I won’t say it will be difficult for him to live in LA, but I know he’s excited about it.”
