Robbie Keane spotted arriving at Thorp Arch with Leeds United yet to announce appointment
Robbie Keane has been spotted heading into Thorp Arch with Leeds United yet to formally announce his appointment as Sam Allardyce’s assistant coach, according to Adam Pope.
The Whites sacked Javi Gracia and hired the experienced former England boss as his replacement for the rest of the season as they look to fight off relegation.
Leeds United were expected to appoint Sammy Lee as part of Allardyce’s staff but was unavailable to join his staff due to jury duty, but Allardyce has brought in former Whites forward Keane as part of his staff according to The Times (3 May).
The club have yet to formally announce former Elland Road hitman as the assistant coach, but Keane was spotted heading into Thorp Arch which could mean an announcement is due.
BBC journalist Pope took to his personal Twitter account [3 May], tweeting: “Robbie Keane just been seen on the way into Thorp Arch as we await the press conference with Sam Allardyce.”
Interesting
Allardyce and his staff have a big job on their hand turning around the Leeds United fortunes, and with just four games remaining of the season, it’s unlikely that the former Bolton and Blackburn boss will be able to change things around so quickly.
However, what he will bring is experience and tact in trying to stop leaking goals given the Whites’ dreadful April record of conceding over 25 goals in a calendar month.
Allardyce holds a tremendous penchant for getting his teams set up very resolute and organised defensively and that is something that is desperately needed right now at Elland Road.
Remains to be seen what Keane’s role will be alongside Allardyce, but it seems as if the former player will look to galvanise the players as well as offering some guidance to the club’s forward players.
Suring up the defence will certainly help, but goals win games and Keane’s expected appointment makes perfect sense. A tough challenge in Manchester City awaits, but a good and resolute performance at the Etihad could provide some much-needed confidence boost.
In other Leeds news, a seven-figure bonus handed out as Allardyce joins Elland Road.