Robbie Keane issues four-word response to Tottenham manager links before interview walkout | OneFootball

Spurs legend has been mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed the sacked Thomas Frank

Robbie Keane has responded to early links to the vacant manager’s job at Tottenham.

The ex-Spurs striker has been mentioned among the early contenders to potentially take over at his former club after Thomas Frank was sacked on Wednesday.

He previously won the Israeli Premier League title, Toto Cup and reached the Conference League last 16 during a year in charge at Maccabi Tel Aviv, having also been a player-coach at Indian Super League (ISL) side Atletico de Kolkata and served as an assistant with the Republic of Ireland, Middlesbrough and Leeds.

It is thought that Keane - who retired from playing in 2018 - is viewed more as a potential interim candidate to lead Tottenham until the end of the season, rather than as a permanent long-term successor to Frank.

The 45-year-old - who managed away at Nottingham Forest in the league phase of the Europa League earlier this season, losing 4-0 - was asked about a possible return to Spurs after Ferencvaros beat Aqvital FC Csakvar 4-0 in the last 16 of the Hungarian Cup on Wednesday night, and gave a curt response.

“I can’t help speculation,” he told M4 Sport, before walking away from the pitchside TV interview.

Keane is a legendary figure at Tottenham, having spent two spells in north London as a player between 2002-08 and 2009-11.

He netted a total of 122 goals in 306 appearances for the club across all competitions, serving as captain and lifting the League Cup in 2008 under Juande Ramos - Spurs’ last major trophy success until they won the Europa League with Ange Postecoglou last season.

Keane also played for Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan, Leeds, Liverpool, Celtic, West Ham, LA Galaxy and Aston Villa during an illustrious 21-year playing career in which he scored 126 Premier League goals - 17th on the all-time list.

He also holds the records for the most appearances and goals at senior international level with the Republic of Ireland, with 146 caps and 68 strikes respectively.