Portsmouth are considering approaching former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane for the job at Fratton Park, per Sky Sports News.
Keane is said to be open to discussions with the club about taking over at Fratton Park, however, no approach has been made yet and there are other names on the shortlist for the job.
Keane was a Premier League star in the 2000s era scoring 80 goals in 198 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent most of his playing career between 2002 and 2008.
The 42-year-old has been plying his trade as an assistant manager, starting out under Mick Mccarthy’s Ireland team in 2018, before moving on to Johnathan Woodgate’s Middlesborough side in the 2019/20 season.
As well as this, Keane spent time as player-manager at now dissolved Indian Super League club, Atletico de Kolkata in 2018, before he ended his playing career.
This is not the first time Keane has been linked with a job in the EFL, as he was linked with the Hull City job in October last year following the departure of Shota Arveladze.
Keane was stood down from his duties with the Republic of Ireland team in 2020, following the appointment of Stephen Kenny, who opted to bring in his own staff.
Our Verdict
Taking on someone like Keane could be a gamble, as it would be his first official coaching job at the helm. However, gamble does not necessarily mean negative, it could be something which pays off for the club and allow the 42-year-old to repay his boyhood club’s faith in him.
It would also be a difficult start for Keane as he would be replacing Danny Cowley, who was very popular among the Portsmouth fanbase, you would expect a star like Keane to appease the fans and become a fan favourite quickly.
There are other names on the shortlist who do have experience in this league, with another Premier League favourite keen on a return to football in Lee Bowyer.
Bowyer is another name that could be risky though, as he has been away from coaching for the past 16 months since his departure from Championship side Birmingham City.
It is expected at this point that Keane is low down on the targets for the job considering the names also open to the job which include Chris Wilder and Neil Warnock.
Portsmouth fans would you take Robbie Keane? Who is your pick for the job if not?
