Former Wolves striker Robbie Keane has been linked with a sensational return to Molineux.placeholder image
Former Wolves striker Robbie Keane has been linked with a sensational return to Molineux. | Getty Images/ Canva
A former Wolves fan favourite has been linked with a sensational return to Molineux after Vitor Pereira’s departure
Republic of Ireland icon Robbie Keane looks to have emerged as a contender to return to Wolves after 26 years as the search for a manager continues to take centre stage.
The Old Gold are in the market for a head coach to steer the club out of danger after parting ways with experienced Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira. The 57-year-old was appointed by Wolves in December 2024 and initially had a transformative effect on results and performances. He helped save the club from relegation last season after a tricky start under Gary O’Neil and completely shifted the mood around Molineux by making the team more defensively robust and organised.
However, after recording six straight wins to win the April Manager of the Month award, results and performances began to take a huge turn for the worse. This term Wolves are winless in ten league matches, losing eight games while picking up just two draws since August. They are the only team in England’s top four divisions without a win, leaving the next manager with an almighty task to turn things around.
Robbie Keane linked with sensational return to Wolves
Republic of Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer Robbie Keane made a name for himself at Wolves after progressing through the academy. The Dublin-born forward scored 27 times in 85 appearances for Wolves across all competitions between 1997 and 1999 before completing a move to Coventry City, who at the time were competing one division above Wolves in the Premier League.
The well-travelled striker went on to play for the likes of Inter Milan, Tottenham, Liverpool, Celtic and LA Galaxy among others. He retired from football in 2018 and briefly acted as player-manager with Indian Super League outfit ATK. Keane also worked as assistant at Republic of Ireland and briefly at Leeds United during the final few games of the 2022/23 season under Sam Allardyce before returning to management.
He won a league and cup double in his first job with Maccabi Tel Aviv amid political tension in Israel and won the league in Hungary with Budapest-based outfit Ferencváros last term. That side is currently competing in the Europa League.
Glasgow Times claim Keane is in the frame for the Celtic vacancy but reports that Wolves could also persuade the coach to move back to the West Midlands. Meanwhile, talkSPORT suggests he’s keen on leaving Hungary to pursue an opportunity with one of his former clubs.
Matt Murray wants Robbie Keane to take over Wolves
Matt Murray, who made 87 appearances for Wolves between 1998 and 2010, wants to see his former teammate Robbie Keane get the top job at Molineux.
He told talkSPORT: “You see names being bandied around. Robbie Keane, the Wolves fans love him and he loves the club. He did well at Maccabi Tel Aviv, if you look at his record in Europe, he has done so, so well.
“He’s doing well at Ferencvaros, he has a clear way of playing. Wolves haven’t fielded an English outfield player this season so the fact Robbie has worked with all these foreign players won’t be an issue to him. He knows the Premier League, he hasn’t managed here, but he’s been assistant for Middlesbrough, for Ireland. I’m not sure what his compensation would be.”
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