FORMER IRELAND STRIKER Robbie Keane has been tipped to take over the vacant managerial role at Portsmouth.
Pompey sacked their manager Danny Cowley last week after the club slumped to 12th position in League One.
The search for a new boss has begun and according to reports in the UK, Ireland's record goalscorer is one of the options to succeed Crowley.
Keane has tried his hand in management by being an assistant with Ireland and Middlesbrough, but is keen to take try his hand in a full time role say Sky Sports.
Other candidates includes the likes of former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder who remains favourite for the Pompey position at 5/2 but next in the running is Keane, whose odds have shortened to 9/2.
Keane attended Portsmouth's FA Cup loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Keane's former teammate Clinton Morrison has backed the Dubliner to succeed in the role
BREAKING: Robbie Keane is one of the names being considered to be the next manager of Portsmouth. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/b5XnpVsoZn
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 8, 2023
Speaking on Soccer Sunday on Sky Sports Transfer Centre,, he said “Portsmouth are struggling to score goals and this guy knows how to score goals.
“I know he wants to be a manager so why not take him on because he’ll bring a lot.
“He’s got loads of energy, he’s enthusiastic about the game, knows the game inside out and he’s a character.
“Man-management is big and he’s good at that
“His man-management at Portsmouth would be brilliant and as soon as he walks in that dressing room, for what he’s done in his career, he’ll earn loads of respect.
“It’s a great opportunity.
“Portsmouth is a massive football club and they would be crazy not to get Robbie Keane there.”
Stephen Kenny's former number two Anthony Barry, who is contracted full-time to Chelsea and has a role with Belgium has also turned down the role according to The Independent
