Robbie Keane is not prepared to return to Tottenham as an interim manager but would consider a move back to Spurs if offered the role on a permanent basis.
According to the Telegraph, the former striker is unwilling to leave his current position with Hungarian side Ferencvaros unless it is for a full-time appointment in north London. That stance effectively removes him from contention should the club decide to appoint a temporary manager.
Tottenham are yet to determine their next step. The hierarchy must choose between installing an interim coach to buy time until the summer or making a permanent appointment immediately. Opting for a short-term solution could be the safer long-term strategy, but it carries significant risk given the club’s proximity to the relegation zone.
Moving quickly on a permanent hire, however, would likely rule out several candidates who may become available later in the year. One of those is Mauricio Pochettino, who is preparing to lead the United States men’s national team into a home World Cup this summer. Any potential departure from that role would be more feasible after the tournament, making an immediate return to Spurs unlikely.
With Keane unwilling to accept a temporary position and Pochettino seemingly committed to his current project, attention could turn elsewhere for an interim solution. John Heitinga is one possible option. The former Premier League defender recently joined Tottenham as part of Thomas Frank’s backroom staff before Frank’s dismissal. Heitinga has managerial experience, having taken charge of Ajax earlier this season, although his tenure there ended prematurely.
Despite limited internal alternatives, reports suggest there is a preference for an external candidate. Tottenham’s early FA Cup exit has provided a brief window to make a considered decision, with ten days before the North London Derby against Arsenal.
Keane was recently asked about speculation linking him to the Tottenham job. When questioned about whether he expected an invitation to manage the club, he replied, “I can’t help speculation,” before walking away. While he did not dismiss the possibility outright, his position appears clear: he would only return under a permanent arrangement.
Spurs have 12 league games remaining and sit just five points above the relegation zone. After last season’s struggles, scrutiny has intensified around the club’s direction. The summer departure of long-serving chairman Daniel Levy, followed by structural changes including the arrival of CEO Vinai Venkatesham and the return and subsequent exit of Fabio Paratici, has left Tottenham in a period of transition.
With relegation a genuine concern, decisive action in the coming days could prove crucial in shaping both the remainder of this campaign and the club’s longer-term future.
