Robbie Keane plays down Spurs job talk amid growing links

Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane. Pic Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Robbie Keane has distanced himself from the managerial vacancy at his former club Tottenham Hotspur, insisting he couldn’t be in a better place at Ferencváros.

According to reports in London, Keane is among a shortlist of targets to succeed Thomas Frank, along with Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino.

Ireland’s record goalscorer is just over a year in charge of Hungarian champions, moving across Europe after leading Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Israeli title in 2023.

Keane addressed the links before the recent visit to Nottingham Forest in the Europa League, a competition they can progress in by beating Ludogorets in the upcoming playoff against Ferencváros.

But, as the pressure grew on Frank’s future, he was asked again about dreaming for a return to the Premier League stage upon which he shone by scoring 126 goals.

“I never dream, ” Keane told Nemzeti Sport on Tuesday, the day before Frank's eight-month stint was ended by the Spurs hierarchy.

“After playing there the most, people back home expect me to work in England. That’s not how it works for me. Am I looking for the opportunity to sign in England? No. Would I want to be Liverpool manager? No.

“If they want me to be, we can talk about it. I feel great at Ferencváros, I couldn’t be in a better place right now.

“I’m lucky because I don’t need money. I earned a living as a player, I’m not doing it to get money at the end of the month. I’m motivated by something completely different.” 

Keane is being backed for the job by his former Spurs teammate Michael Dawson.

“For me, there’s somebody there in the making,” he told Sky Sports. “Robbie knows the club, played for the club and has the passion. He will galvanise everybody and bring them in the right direction.”