Tottenham are on the hunt for their next manager, with both interim and permanent hires being suggested, with former striker Robbie Keane among those listed as a potential target.
10:12, 12 Feb 2026Updated 10:51, 12 Feb 2026
Robbie Keane has responded to links with the Tottenham manager job(Image: (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images))
Former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has said that he cannot help links with the managerial job at his old club, before walking out of an interview. The 45-year-old has been rumoured as a potential option to replace Thomas Frank, following his sacking by Spurs this week.
Keane is currently in charge of Hungarian giants Ferencvaros, who he joined in January 2025 as part of his next step into management after his playing career. That coaching career so far has included stints as an assistant for the Republic of Ireland, Middlesbrough and Leeds United, before taking the main head coach role at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
While he seems to be impressing in his stint at Ferencvaros so far, the possibility of a switch to Tottenham is one that may be looming large. Despite that, Keane moved quickly to dismiss rumours with a short and sharp answer when asked about the possibility of returning to N17.
A reporter asked: “Would you expect their invitation for you to become their manager?” Keane responded: “I can’t help speculation,” while shrugging his shoulders before walking away from the interview.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
While it doesn’t suggest he is interested in the job, the former Republic of Ireland international didn’t take the time to totally rule himself out of the running by making a statement. For now, links surrounding Keane and the Tottenham job remain as one of a few options available to Spurs.
The former striker played over 300 games for the club over his playing career, scoring 122 goals with 43 assists in that time too. His move into management afterwards has had some early success, with a return to Tottenham offering a chance for someone who knows the club to stamp their identity on the team.
Robbie Keane continues to be linked with a move to Tottenham(Image: (Photo by David Balogh – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
Regardless of Keane’s position, it remains to be seen which route the Tottenham hierarchy are likely to take in their next appointment, however, with one of two strategies available ahead of them. The long-term option to replace Frank would be to find an interim manager willing to steer the team towards calmer waters to reassess the managerial landscape in the summer.
The other option surrounds a quicker appointment, with Roberto De Zerbi one of those currently out of work, while the club may be able to tempt a hire out of work they have elsewhere – such as Keane or Kieran McKenna. Fortunately for those at the top drawing up those plans, there is a bit of time on their hands.
FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Tottenham aren’t back in action for over a week, due to the team’s early exit from the FA Cup opening a free weekend for the squad. It means they won’t be featuring again until Sunday, February 22, when they have the tough task of taking on Arsenal in the North London Derby.
The immediate task of the next management team for this season will be to stop the winless run and to help turn things around. The gap to the bottom three sits at just five points, and that could have been worse if it were not for a late Manchester United equaliser against West Ham in midweek.
According to the BBC, Tottenham Hotspur would be open to an interim managerial appointment until the end of the season to help achieve that. Jonny Heitinga could be among the names considered for the role, following his recent arrival as part of the backroom team at the club.
However, it remains to be seen if he is the preferred candidate for that route, given his struggles at Ajax earlier on this season as the head coach.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings