Players who have previously played under Robbie Keane have offered genuine glimpses into what working with the 45-year-old entails, amid speculation linking him to the Tottenham manager's position. The former striker currently manages Ferencvaros, having taken charge of the Hungarian outfit last January.
His coaching CV also includes a stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv, alongside assistant positions with Middlesbrough, Leeds United and the Republic of Ireland national team. Throughout this period, Keane has been developing his distinctive identity and footballing philosophy, shaping what will become his signature coaching approach.
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Should this journey culminate in a homecoming to Tottenham as manager, it will be fascinating to observe how he maximises the potential of the current squad. Judging by testimonials from those he has previously mentored, Spurs' attacking players could have plenty to look forward to.
Back in 2019, Middlesbrough forward Ashley Fletcher expressed his delight at the prospect of learning from Keane, following a telephone conversation with the coach. He remarked: "There's no better person you would want (to work with).
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"He's played in the Premier League for many years, he's played for top teams, he's played in the Champions League, played in World Cups so to learn from him everyday was always going to benefit me."
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Callum O'Dowda offered similar acclaim when reflecting on their collaboration within the Republic of Ireland international set-up. "He's still got it, I'll tell you that," he remarked about Keane.
"Even in training when you watch him, he's fantastic just as he was a fantastic player.
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"As a coach now, I asked him how he's finding it. He obviously misses playing, but he's someone that you definitely look up to. As soon as he opens his mouth, you want to listen to him given the level he has played at and what he has done for the country.
"It's phenomenal really. On the coaching side he has been good. Obviously, as a striker, he knows what they want from me, as a wide player, he knows the service that they want. It's the little things, as well, mentally getting into your head, he's definitely good to have around."
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Such endorsements will resonate positively with Tottenham supporters regarding the prospective appointment, particularly given the club's expectations for attacking football. Beyond results alone, the playing style contributed to the issues that led to Thomas Frank's dismissal from his position as head coach this week.
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Spurs have managed just 36 goals in the Premier League across 26 matches, a tally potentially impacted by numerous injury concerns. Nevertheless, the brief for the incoming manager will almost certainly encompass a mandate to enhance the attacking output both immediately and over the longer term.
Keane's coaching prowess has garnered acclaim not only from strikers, but also from former Ireland defender Darren O'Dea, who commended his abilities back in 2018. "Robbie is going to settle in easily. He was like a coach when I was playing with him and he was one of the best captains I played under," O'Dea remarked regarding Keane's shift into coaching.
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"If I was a player in that dressing room, I would want to listen to what Robbie Keane has to say. He's a fantastic guy and I don't need to speak about his credentials as a player."
While Keane has received considerable recognition for his coaching capabilities, the question remains whether these skills could translate to managing Tottenham - or in the Premier League - should such an opportunity present itself.