Former Carlisle United favourite Rory Delap is starting a new coaching role – in Israel.

Delap has joined Maccabi Tel Aviv as part of head coach Robbie Keane’s backroom staff.

It see the Cumbrian – who has been appointed assistant head coach – return to the coaching scene following his departure from Stoke City in January.

The 46-year-old links up with his former Republic of Ireland team-mate Keane, who was appointed Maccabi Tel Aviv boss earlier this week.

He is one of three new arrivals to join Keane’s staff, with fitness coach Andy Liddell and Phillip Hudson as senior performance analyst.

Keane has replaced former Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City boss Aitor Karanka at the helm.

Delap joins a club that finished third in the Israeli Premier League last season.

They are the most decorated club in Israel domestically with 23 titles to their name.

Their last title came in 2020, since when Maccabi Haifa have dominated the league with three championships since then.

It is a first overseas coaching opportunity for Delap, who was with Stoke for five years after a previous coaching spell at Derby County.

Delap’s playing days started at Carlisle United where he came through the club’s youth system in the 1990s before going on to star for Derby, Southampton, Sunderland, Stoke, Barnsley and Burton Albion.