Robbie Keane joined West Ham United on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2011. His career with the Hammers started brightly, scoring in a 3-1 win over Blackpool in the Premier League. However, he would only score one more goal for the club in nine appearances.
West Ham had the option to sign him permanently if they avoided relegation. However, at the end of the 2010/11 season, they were fated to go down to the Championship. Keane would instead join the Los Angeles Galaxy. Whilst with the had a brief stint back in English soccer with Aston Villa.
Keane finished his playing career with Atlético de Kolkata in the Indian Super League, where he also acted as player-manager. A career in coaching then beckoned, as he became Mick McCarthy's assistant with his country, the Republic of Ireland.
He also worked as an assistant at Middlesbrough for Jonathan Woodgate and Neil Warnock. Keane also had a role under Sam Allardyce as they attempted but ultimately failed to keep Leeds United in the Premier League.
Robbie Keane is earning a reputation as a top manager
It was then time for Keane to test himself as a manager, firstly with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League. He had success with Maccabi, winning the league and a domestic cup competition and taking them to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League. However, it was during a difficult time, as the Gaza war was still ongoing.
Keane's next job was the manager of the Hungarian side, Ferencváros. He also won the league with them, and they are currently top of the division again. Given his impressive record as a manager, there is talk that he could replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham.
It would be a gamble for Spurs to take a chance on Keane. His success as a manager has so far come in not the most established leagues. However, he knows the club, having had two stints there as a player.
Being a club legend earns you instant respect, where you can make a quick impact. Michael Carrick is proving this back at Manchester United. Carrick has also been mentioned as a possible future Spurs manager. However, he will only be available at the end of the season if United decides not to make him their next permanent boss.