'I Know Robbie': Ex Tottenham star gives verdict on Robbie Keane managerial links

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a swoop to bring in former striker Robbie Keane on a short-term basis as pressure continues to rise on interim boss Igor Tudor.

The 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday made it four defeats in four for Tudor, having already been beaten by Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace in the Premier League. That had seen Spurs sink to 16th in the top flight, just one point above the drop zone.

Tudor had only been given the job until the end of the season, with a summer approach for former manager Mauricio Pochettino expected, but the Croatian could be given his marching orders early with the threat of relegation looming large.

Ferencváros boss Keane has been linked with the role, as he was in January. The head coach won the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2024 and followed it up with a Hungarian league title in 2025.

Gus Poyet gives verdict on Robbie Keane amid Spurs links

Speaking to LondonWorld, via William Hill, Premier League legend Gus Poyet shared his thoughts on Keane. The 58-year-old knows the former striker well thanks to his time at Spurs between 2001 and 2004.

Poyet said: “I know Robbie very well, I played with him. I think they are completely different characters and a completely different approach. One knows the club and league inside out. He’d have more time because people like him so well. It’s too difficult to compare after three games.

“Previously, it would be a decision on character. Thomas Frank knew the league and was in it for many years. It wasn’t about knowing the league. Until the end of the season, we cannot say if it [Tudor] was a right or wrong decision.

“The opposite can happen - you can win the first or second game and then lose form. It’s very easy now to criticise the coach but the most important is they need to get out somehow. Good football, bad football, scoring from corners, nobody cares.

“Robbie has been doing very well abroad in his two previous jobs. I like as well that he was an assistant before, learning from the inside. I know, because I have plenty of friends from Tottenham, they want Pochettino.”

When asked about links with Spurs earlier this year, Keane had said: “I think it’s nice that your name is there. Who puts it there? I have no clue. I think it shows you that I’m doing okay. To be even put there, again, I don’t even know, is it just the bookmakers? I have no clue how it works. I’m obviously aware of it, but I’m happy here.

“It’s a fantastic club, unbelievable training ground and stadium. It’s amazing, of course, as we all know. And really good players, good squad of players.”

In other news, Harry Redknapp nominates two candidates to save relegation 'favourites' Tottenham.