Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with an unusual return to Tottenham, but such a move would likely require Spurs to appoint a caretaker manager until the end of the season.
Robbie Keane has emerged as a candidate for Tottenham (Image: Getty Images)
Tottenham could name an interim head coach next week as they look to prepare for Mauricio Pochettino’s surprise return in the summer, but former Spurs striker Robbie Keane will not be considered for such a role.
The north London side are understood to be considering their options after parting ways with Thomas Frank on Wednesday. The Dane joined Spurs from Brentford in the summer, but failed to live up to expectations in the Premier League and left, leaving the club languishing just two places and five points out of the relegation zone, despite winning seven games over the season.
Pochettino has emerged as the front-runner for the position, but the Argentine’s possible return is complicated by his current role with the U.S. national team.
Another option is to appoint an interim manager until the end of the season before following in Pochettino’s footsteps after this summer’s World Cup. However, that would almost rule out a move for Keane, who made an impression as head coach of Hungarian side Ferencvaros.
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The Telegraph reports that the former Tottenham Ireland international striker is in talks with the club as they decide on their next steps and hopes to bring in a new player by Monday.
They added that Keane is interested in a permanent job at Tottenham but has no intention of quitting Hungary and returning to England in a caretaker capacity. The news will come as a blow to the club, with further claims to go the external route if they decide to proceed with an interim appointment before Pochettino’s arrival.
(Image: Brad Smith/ISI Photo/USSF/Getty Images)
Keane, 45, signed a contact extension with Ferencvaros in December after leading them to the Hungarian title last season. He spent eight years at Tottenham over two spells as a player and would be an attractive option to join given the success he enjoyed with Ferencvaros.
Along with Keane and Pochettino, another name that has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Frank is former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi. He has not been attached since leaving Marseille earlier this week, but it remains to be seen whether he is ready to return to work immediately.
The Italian has been touted as a candidate for Manchester United, with Tottenham’s domestic rivals set to appoint a new head coach in the summer.
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