Robbie Keane Linked with Preston North End Managerial Role
Robbie Keane is back in the managerial conversation – and this time his name is being linked with Preston North End.
The former Celtic striker, who only months ago held talks over a dramatic return to Parkhead, has reportedly emerged as a contender to take over at Deepdale following Paul Heckingbottom’s departure. Journalist Alan Nixon reports that the 46-year-old is firmly in the frame as Preston weigh up their next move.
Keane spent part of the summer heavily connected with the Celtic job. He was involved in discussions about succeeding Martin O’Neill after O’Neill’s interim spell, with serious consideration given to handing him the reins in Glasgow. The move never came to life. Celtic chose O’Neill on a permanent basis, and the door quietly closed on Keane’s Parkhead ambitions – at least for now.
England’s second tier could now offer him a different route back in.
Old connections, new opportunity
Keane’s candidacy at Preston is not emerging from nowhere. He already shares a long-standing connection with North End chairman Peter Ridsdale, dating back to their time together at Leeds United during Keane’s playing days. That relationship gives him a natural inroad at Deepdale at a time when the club are searching for a fresh start.
O’Neill, too, knows Ridsdale well. The Celtic manager visited Deepdale earlier this year alongside Celtic coach Mark Fotheringham. Their relationship goes back more than 20 years, to a moment when Ridsdale tried to lure O’Neill to Elland Road.
In 2003, with his Celtic future uncertain, O’Neill went as far as signing a “statement of intent” with Leeds over a potential move. A switch to Yorkshire never materialised, but the episode underlines how long Ridsdale has been circling managers of that profile – and how deep those ties run.
Keane’s break from the dugout
Keane has been out of work since leaving Ferencvaros at the end of last season. His time in Budapest ended in disappointment as Ferencvaros missed out on the Hungarian title to ETO FC Gyori, a result that snapped the club’s seven-year run as champions.
The fallout was swift. Keane departed, and Ferencvaros turned to Balazs Borbely – the coach who had just led Gyori to that title – to take charge of the Budapest side.
For Keane, it has meant a pause in his managerial journey just as his name was resurfacing in British football. His recent links with Celtic were no shock given his previous spell as a player at Parkhead and his strong relationship with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond.
He has kept his counsel since O’Neill was confirmed as Celtic’s permanent manager, choosing not to publicly discuss the talks that took place over a possible return.
Now the picture has shifted. With Preston searching for a new boss and Ridsdale scanning the market, the path is open for Keane to step into the English Championship for the first time as a manager. The question is simple: will Deepdale be where he finally plants his flag in the English game?
