Robbie Keane, the former Tottenham forward, has claimed that the club should go all out and get Mauricio Pochettino and named Brendan Rodgers as the next best option for the job. .
Pochettino, who had a successful stint as Spurs boss between 2014 and 2019, has been linked with a return to the club following the sacking of Conte, but according to reports, chairman Daniel Levy is not willing to hire him back despite him wanting to return.
With Levy not interested in Pochettino, he has become the favourite for the Chelsea job instead after reportedly impressing the owners during the talks.
Keane, who played for Tottenham from 2002 to 2008, believes that if Pochettino is not possible, Rodgers would be an excellent alternative.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Keane said (via Express):
“Pochettino himself. The Spurs fans absolutely love him. The way he played football he got them to the Champions League Final.
“Him or Brendan Rodgers. I think Brendan Rodgers could bring stability to the club, and the way he plays, he plays the game.”
Rodgers has built a strong reputation as a manager, most notably leading Leicester City to their first-ever FA Cup win this season and guiding them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League. He also came agonizingly close to winning the Premier League with Liverpool in the 2013/14 season.
Interestingly, Spurs have been interested in Rodgers for a long time. They attempted to hire him back in 2013, but he chose to take the Liverpool job instead. They missed out on him again when he decided to stay at Leicester after they sacked Pochettino.
Keane is not the only former Spurs player to back Rodgers for the job. Jamie O’Hara, another former Tottenham midfielder, has previously backed him for the vacant position.
With Tottenham in need of a steady hand and success, Rodgers could be a great fit for the club. It remains to be seen who Spurs will appoint, but Pochettino and Rodgers are certainly among the leading candidates.
