Tottenham legend frontrunner for manager job at QPR and Millwall Championship rivals

Tottenham Hotspur legend Robbie Keane has emerged as a frontrunner to replace under-fire Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney as the Pilgrims endure a torrid run of Championship form.

The rivals of QPR and Millwall sit 21st in the second tier after 18 matches with just four wins to their name. The R's are two places and two points below Plymouth Argyle with the Lions in a safer position at 10th.

The Guardian reported at the weekend that Rooney was 'fighting to save his job' at the club after a 'damaging' week of results. Plymouth Argyle were beaten 4-0 by Bristol City on Saturday, just four days after an embarrassing 6-1 defeat at Norwich City.

The report adds that the Manchester United legend is at 'immediate risk' of losing his job but is set to be afforded another chance to turn things around when Oxford United visit Home Park this weekend.

Plymouth Argyle chairman Simon Hallett was in the away end at Ashton Gate on Saturday as his side conceded four in the second half - former QPR man Sinclair Armstrong bagging the fourth in the 90th minute. After the match, Rooney acknowledged a 'big embarrassment'.

The Plymouth Argyle boss said: “Reflection from the game at the end is a big embarrassment if I’m being absolutely honest. I know the support the fans have given us, they’ve come here in numbers and it’s the same on Tuesday and the same today, it’s very difficult walking over and feeling embarrassed to show our appreciation to the fans."

Robbie Keane frontrunner to replace Wayne Rooney at Plymouth Argyle

Former Coventry City manager Mark Robins and ex Plymouth Argyle player Krisztián Tímár have been linked with the role, but it is Keane who is touted as an early frontrunner. The former Spurs, Leeds United and Liverpool forward left his post at Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Tel Aviv this summer.

Earlier this season, it had been reported that the 44-year-old was in 'advanced talks' to take up the position as manager of Greek side Asteras Tripolis, but it did not come to fruition.

The former Republic of Ireland international led Maccabi Tel Aviv to a league title in his first season in charge last season but left the role a year into his two-year contract. Keane also reached the Europa Conference League quarter finals in a stint that came under controversy given the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Responding to criticism from Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews last summer, Keane replied: "I don’t want to get into politics. This is the last time I will say it. I’m here as a football man and someone that loves the game. I will certainly just focus on that but thanks for your question.”

Keane worked briefly as player-manager at Indian side ATK in 2018 and was also assistant manager to Mick McCarthy for the Republic of Ireland in that year. The ex Premier League goalscorer also worked as an assistant at Middlesbrough in 2019 and under Sam Allardyce at Leeds United in 2023 as the Whites were relegated from the Premier League. As a player, Keane made more than 300 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 122 goals. He is the club's eighth-highest goalscorer in history.

The striker also enjoyed stints at Liverpool, Leeds United, West Ham and Aston Villa during his career. Overseas time came at LA Galaxy, Inter Milan and ATK.

As a player, he won the League Cup with Spurs in 2008 and was Player of the Year for the club in 2003, 2006 and 2008. Keane also won three Premier League Player of the Month awards during his time in the top flight - in August 1999, January 2001 and April 2007.