Soccer

Robbie Keane to join Leeds backroom staff as Allardyce vies for Premier League survival

The Elland Road club are 17th in the Premier League table, having lost four of their last five matches

Robbie Keane will join Allardyce at Leeds as part of the backroom team. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Robbie Keane will join Allardyce at Leeds as part of the backroom team. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Wed May 03 2023 - 10:43

Former Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane is expected to join Sam Allardyce’s backroom team at Leeds United, as the new manager vies for Premier League survival with just four games left to play.

Keane, a former Leeds player, has previously held coaching roles with the Republic of Ireland and Middlesbrough.

The 42-year-old was brought into the national team set up by then-manager Mick McCarthey in 2018, but was later relieved of his duties when Stephen Kenny tooks the reins in April 2020.

Keane’s contractual arrangement with the FAI meant that he continued to receive payments from the association until the summer of 2022, two years after he was stood down as a coach.

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Keane joined his former Tottenham Hotspur teammate Jonathan Woodgate at Middlesbrough in June 2019, where he worked as an assistant manager. He left that position in June 2020.

Earlier on Wednesday, Leeds confirmed that they had sacked manager Javi Gracia and appointed Allardyce to take charge for the rest of the season.

Having already removed director of football Victor Orta, the Yorkshire club announced the departure of Spaniard Gracia along with his back room staff.

A poor season at Elland Road sees the club languishing in 17th, and only goal difference keeps them out of the relegation zone.

Speaking on Wednesday, Allardyce acknowledge that the club is “in a lot of trouble”.

“I have seen a lot of trouble before and – I could have done a little bit more time, but four games – hopefully we can make a difference and keep this fabulous club in the Premier League,” he told talkSPORT.

Allardyce added: “[I was] shocked [to get the opportunity], I never thought at this stage of the season there would be jobs offered.

“When the phone popped up with a name that I knew pretty well, I knew who it was straight away, so it took me about two seconds to say yes.”

Allardyce is reported to have agreed a basic salary of £500,000 for his four games in charge, with a £2.5 million bonus if he can keep Leeds up.

Leeds have lost four in a winless run of five matches and have four games left to save themselves.

Former MK Dons, Charlton and Oxford boss Karl Robinson will be Allardyce’s assistant.

Leeds travel to leaders Manchester City on Saturday, before hosting third-placed Newcastle. A trip to West Ham and an Elland Road encounter with European hopefuls Tottenham round out the season.

Allardyce takes charge after suffering his first Premier League relegation with West Brom, when he left six months into an 18-month contract.

The 68-year-old former Bolton, Newcastle, West Ham and England boss becomes Leeds’ third permanent manager of the season after Jesse Marsch and Gracia.