Keane has impressed with the Hungarian side and is on the Hoops radar
Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane
Chief executive Pal Orosz has hinted that Robbie Keane‘s time at Ferencvaros could be nearing an end- stating the boss has already “left his mark.”
The comment comes amid reports he is the frontrunner to become the next Celtic boss. The former Ireland and Hoops’ striker was touted for the Parkhead hot seat before Wilfried Nancy’s ill-fated tenure.
His eight-game tenure saw Martin O’Neill called on for a second time this season to steady the ship, but the 74-year-old is expected to end his time in the dugout his summer. Keane has caught the eye with Ferencvaros with his team top of the domestic league as he looks to claim his second consecutive title in Hungary.
The Irishman also made an impact on the Europa League, steering the club to the last 16 before a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Braga. The results have reportedly caught the eye of Celtic – with his former club Tottenham Hotspur also touted as a potential destination.
Orosz welcomed the speculation about his club’s gaffer as he took a reflective tone about Keane’s stint at the club – despite being in the midst of a title fight.
He told Hungarian outlet M4 Sport: “He had a good impact on Ferencvaros, as we can see. A true Irishman, hard-headed, but at the same time a very good figure.
“He can win and motivate a lot, the players believe in him and that is the most important thing. A real leader.
“If he really was mentioned with Tottenham, then we are proud, because in this way we made the right choice. And he also wanted to come here, and that is why he left his mark here.”
Former West Brom, Wolves and Sunderland striker Don Goodman reckons the three names being weighed up by the Parkhead decision-makers will by interim gaffer O’Neill, Keane and Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou.
He told Grosvenor Casinos “I do think Martin O’Neill will probably shake hands and move on at the end of the season. Even if he wins the league, I do not see him as the long-term future of Celtic.
Ferencvaros’ Irish coach Robbie Keane (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“He may stay involved in some kind of advisory role, but I do not think he returned with the intention of managing the club for the next three, four or five years.
“They have been linked with Robbie Keane, who is currently at Ferencvaros. He is doing an excellent job both domestically and in Europe. He is also a former Celtic player, so that link makes sense.
“Another name that has been mentioned is Jens Berthel Askou. He has experience in the Scottish Premiership and people who regularly watch the league say Motherwell are one of the most entertaining teams to watch.
“They play in a risky style, building from the back with a high press, high energy and high intensity.
“If he were given a stronger group of players, with respect to what he has at Motherwell, and could implement that same style, it could be very effective and potentially a problem for the rest of the league next season.
“At the moment, both of those options seem like strong candidates, but we will have to wait and see what happens.”
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