Plymouth Argyle boss & Everton coach rivalling Robbie Keane for Preston North End job | OneFootball

Preston North End face Championship competition for Robbie Keane as Leighton Baines and Tom Cleverley emerge as managerial candidates

Preston North End face competition from two Championship rivals for Robbie Keane, whilst both Everton coach Leighton Baines and Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley are also in the frame for the vacancy at Deepdale.

According to Alan Nixon's Patreon, Preston face competition from two Championship rivals for the signature of Irish boss Keane, who has recently emerged as a contender following the dismissal of Heckingbottom.

The Lilywhites are also reportedly considering moves for Everton coach Baines and Plymouth boss Cleverley, as their search for a successor to the former Sheffield United boss looks to be heading into the international break.

Preston North End face battle for Robbie Keane as Leighton Baines and Tom Cleverley are considered

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It was reported by Nixon on Thursday that Preston were interested in Keane, who has previously held managerial roles with Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros to great success.

The 46-year-old former Irish striker stepped down from his role with the Budapest-based outfit at the end of last season, and his next could well come in the United Kingdom, as now two Championship rivals have joined Preston in the chase for his services, whilst Celtic could return for a move of their own should they part ways with Martin O'Neill.

Preston remain the only English second-tier side at this stage to have dismissed a manager, though with the international break coming up, that looks almost certain to change sooner rather than later.

Nixon has also reported that Everton coach Baines and Plymouth boss Cleverley are two other names those in the club's hierarchy have in mind, as the Lilywhites will use this international break as an opportunity to collect their thoughts ahead of this huge decision.

Why Preston North End are interested in Robbie Keane, Leighton Baines, and Tom Cleverley

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Keane has had an exceptionally successful time as a head coach since taking his first steps into the profession with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2023, winning the league title and league cup in both Israel and Hungary in his sole years at either club.

The Irishman has yet to manage in the United Kingdom, and it looks increasingly likely that his next job will be in the country where he made a name for himself as a player previously.

Baines has been a coach at Everton since 2020 after hanging up his boots, and has acted as an assistant to David Moyes, though he has never been a head coach anywhere as yet, and presents an interesting option.

Cleverley has spent time in charge of Watford and, most recently, Plymouth, with whom he narrowly missed out on a place in the League One play-offs last season, and is aiming to amend this time around, though Preston may have other plans.

Who else has been linked with the Preston North End job?

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Former Preston right-back and current Bradford City boss Graham Alexander has also been linked with the vacant role at Deedpdale following his excellent work in West Yorkshire.

Alexander previously made 370 appearances for the Lilywhites as a player, and his existing relationship with the club was always bound to see links of a reunion emerge.

Interim boss Jason Euell, who took charge of Preston as they surrendered a 2-0 lead away to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, is also a contender, but it's likely the club will make an outside appointment rather than promoting the former Jamaican international.