Robbie Keane and Mauricio Pochettino have been linked with the job at Tottenham Hotspur following the departure of Thomas Frank
Robbie Keane is reportedly not interested in a temporary return to Tottenham as an interim manager, but would consider a permanent managerial role. The Telegraph reports that the former striker is reluctant to leave his current position with Hungarian side Ferencvaros unless it's for a full-time role at Tottenham.
This effectively rules Keane out of contention for the interim manager position, should the club's top brass decide to go down that route. It remains uncertain which direction Spurs will take, with options including appointing an interim manager to buy time for a summer decision, or making a move immediately.
The former could be a wise long-term strategy, but given their precarious position near the relegation zone, it could prove costly. However, if Spurs act now, they may miss out on potential candidates who could become available in the coming months.
This includes Mauricio Pochettino, who is due to lead the US Men's National Team in a home World Cup this summer, with a possible departure following the tournament.
Given Pochettino's commitment to preparing his team for the competition, it seems unlikely he would leave his post prematurely, presenting a dilemma for Spurs in terms of timing their decision.
With Keane no longer a contender for a short-term appointment, the door is open for another candidate to step into the interim role. That man is John Heitinga, who only recently joined Tottenham as part of Thomas Frank's backroom staff, prior to his eventual departure.
The former Premier League player has managerial experience, having been in charge of Ajax earlier this season, although that spell didn't work out and he was ultimately let go. The scarcity of alternative options means that Spurs might need to contemplate Heitinga, although the Telegraph reports that there is a leaning towards bringing in someone from outside the club.
At least for the moment, time is on the side of those making the decision, thanks to Tottenham's early exit from the FA Cup. There's a ten-day gap before the next fixture, which happens to be the North London Derby showdown against Arsenal next weekend.
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That ought to give the decision-makers sufficient time to determine which path they want to take, whether that's naming an interim boss or a permanent appointment. When Keane was recently quizzed about his links to the Tottenham position, he was brief and to the point regarding the prospect of returning to the club where he made the most appearances during his playing days.
A journalist enquired: "Would you expect their invitation for you to become their manager?" Keane replied: "I can't help speculation," shrugging his shoulders before departing the interview.
While that didn't completely discount him from the running, his position suggests a return is feasible only as a permanent appointment rather than a temporary one. Tottenham have 12 fixtures remaining to escape a potential relegation scrap, sitting just five points clear of the bottom three.
Combined with last season's difficulties, this has intensified the spotlight on the club's operations during a period of significant upheaval. Daniel Levy's summer departure concluded an almost 25-year spell as chairman, inevitably triggering a transitional phase.
Additionally, there has been substantial restructuring behind the scenes, including Vinai Venkatesham's arrival as CEO within the last 12 months, alongside Fabio Paratici's return and subsequent second departure.
All of this points towards a club in transition that needs to establish stability before progressing to higher achievements. Critical decisions lie ahead in the coming days, with the threat of relegation far more tangible this campaign than previously.