Six PL homegrown stars that took to coaching after Keane decision
Lee Gormley | January 8, 2016
Keane gains further coaching badges
Formerly a Premier League star with Tottenham, as well as spells with Liverpool and Aston Villa, the Republic of Ireland’s all-time goalscorer Robbie Keane is now seeking a new career in management.
The 35-year-old recently earned his UEFA ‘A’ License to add to his collection of honours and achievements, and could eventually be seen gracing the touchline as a coach, rather than instinctively scoring goals on the pitch, as he has been doing for almost 20 years.
If Keane is to follow this chosen path into management, he will emulate other past top-flight stars to have done so. Coral look at six players-turned-bosses who the LA Galaxy finisher will potentially follow from the Premier League turf into a coaching role.
Roy Keane
We start with Keane’s namesake and current assistant boss at international level with Ireland. Roy Keane is considered a true Manchester United great, with his aggressive approach and driven ambition to succeed earning him plenty of playing success.
Although, his time as a manager hasn’t quite lived up to the high standards he set during his illustrious 12-year career at Old Trafford, but things could soon change after recent fortunes with his country as assistant to Martin O’Neill.
The Cork-born coach impressively guided Sunderland from the relegation zone to Championship promotion in 2006/07, earning the division’s Manager of the Year award. Having helped the Black Cats avoid Premier League relegation the following term, Keane eventually resigned in 2008, before an underwhelming two seasons with Ipswich Town.
Now, learning from experienced mentor O’Neill in the Irish set-up, which is 15/2 with Coral to win Euro 2016 Group E next summer, Keane could further his managerial career for the future, after also working alongside Paul Lambert previously at Aston Villa.
Gary Neville
A former teammate of United icon Keane’s now, and the most recent on our list to have taken up a job within the tough world of football management.
Neville earlier arrived in Spain alongside his younger brother Phil to surprisingly take charge of high-profile La Liga side Valencia, despite having only previously ever been assistant to Roy Hodgson at England.
The Man Utd legend signed a deal to remain at the Mestalla for this current campaign before helping his country at Euro 2016 in France too, where they are 10/1 to triumph, but has a tough club task.
Los Che currently occupy 10th position in the Spanish table and results will have to improve massively if the former Red Devils full back is to remain at the helm permanently beyond this term.
Tim Sherwood
Aston Villa have been cemented to rock-bottom of the Premier League table all season, even after Sherwood was dismissed last year, with current coach Remi Garde facing a similar fate to his predecessor.
Sherwood initially enjoyed a great half-season with the Villans upon his arrival, overseeing the West Midlands club’s top tier survival and leading them to an FA Cup final appearance. This followed up a short tenure with Tottenham, having also played there before, as well as time at Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers.
Mark Hughes
Another Man Utd hero who took to the touchline as coach. Present Stoke City boss Hughes has been quite successful since swapping his boots for tactics sheets.
The former Old Trafford forward learned his managerial trade with Wales before taking the Blackburn job, then moving to all of Manchester City, Fulham and QPR before his current Potters duties.
Gareth Southgate
Former England international Southgate will most fondly remember his Premier League days with Villa and Northeast club Middlesbrough, before taking the daunting plunge into management.
The now 45-year-old took over from Steve McClaren as Boro boss in 2006, when the latter started his England reign and Southgate had just retired from playing. He oversaw the club’s Premier League relegation, before later becoming involved with his national side’s Under-21s.
Stuart Pearce
Pearce took command of Nottingham Forest most recently, the club he made a name for himself as a stalwart defender, and led the England Under-21s for six years, helping develop his nation’s young talent.
Spells as boss of Man City, England (caretaker) and the Great Britain Olympic team have also been taken on during a long-standing career.
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