JERUSALEM, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Tel Aviv on Tuesday appointed former Scotland forward Kenny Miller as its new head coach.
Miller, 46, replaces Ronny Deila after serving as interim coach during the final six rounds of last season and leading the club to the Israeli State Cup title.
During a playing career that spanned more than two decades, Miller scored 255 goals in 799 appearances for 12 clubs and added 18 goals in 70 appearances for Scotland.
He is one of only five players to have represented both Celtic and Rangers since World War II, winning league and cup titles with both clubs. Miller also played for Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2001 to 2006.
Miller began his coaching career as player-coach at Livingston in 2018 before holding assistant coaching roles at Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers, Falkirk, Huddersfield Town and Atlanta United.
He joined Maccabi Tel Aviv as an assistant coach in January alongside Deila, who had replaced Serbia's Zarko Lazetic.
Deila left the club in May following allegations that he harassed a female taxi driver in Tel Aviv while intoxicated. Miller was then appointed interim coach and guided Maccabi to a 2-1 victory over Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Israeli State Cup final.
"The appointment of Kenny aligns with the direction and goals set out for the coming seasons, including key elements such as a high-performance mindset, adaptability and playing style," Vanharen said.
Miller said he was eager to continue building on the work already underway at the club.
"From the moment I arrived at the club, I felt the passion, ambition and expectations that make Maccabi such a special place. I am excited to continue working with the players and staff as we prepare for the challenges ahead," he said. ■
