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Leeds United lost 2-1 to Manchester City in Sam Allardyce's first game in charge. The side did show a lot more spirit under Allardyce than they have done under Javi Gracia. Allardyce and his new coaching staff could perform their magic and keep Leeds afloat in Premier League this season.
Allardyce usually has his long-time assistant Sammy Lee by his side in the dugout. However, Lee is on jury duty and was not allowed the time off. One of Allardyce's new assistants is former Leeds United forward Robbie Keane. The Irishman knows Allardyce from Soccer Aid and the charity match has proven to be a great networking event for him. The 146-capped former Republic of Ireland international scored 12 goals in 46 Premier League games when he was a player at Elland Road.
Keane wants to get back into management and this season was linked with taking over League One side Portsmouth in January as per the Daily Mail. Pompey eventually chose John Mousinho to replace Danny Cowley. Under Mousinho the club missed out on the playoffs by seven points. We will never know where they would have finished under Keane.
Keane's only experience as a manager was at Atletico de Kolkata. In his first game as the boss of ATK, he played himself and scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win against NorthEast United. His next match was against Chennai City in the Heri Super Cup. ATK won 4-1 with Keane getting on the scoresheet again.
His success was short-lived as his side then lost 3-1 in the Round of 16 to FC Goa. Keane unsurprisingly was his side's goalscorer again. Being a player- manager must be a difficult job. However, it would have been a fantastic learning opportunity for Keane as he embarks on his managerial career.
After just three games with the Indian Super League side, Keane left and become assistant manager to Mick McCarthy with Ireland. He then worked as Jonathon Woodgate's assistant with Middlesbrough.
Leeds have tough remaining fixtures
Leeds United are now second from bottom in the Premier League and have an uphill battle to avoid relegation. They have three tough remaining games against Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. Newcastle is competing to finish in the top four whilst Keane's former club Spurs are also fighting for European football.
Another one of Keane's old teams, West Ham claimed a crucial victory over Manchester United last weekend. Said Benhrahma's goal secured crucial three points for David Moyes' side. The Hammers are not safe yet so this will also be a difficult fixture for Leeds.
Keane will likely be Leeds United's assistant coach until the end of the season. If he can help strikers fire on all cylinders in the remainder of the season, he could become a cult hero at the club.
How Robbie Keane can improve Leeds United
Leeds United's first-choice striker is Patrick Bamford, who has scored just four times in 26 league games this season. Their other centre-forward Georginio Rutter has performed poorly since arriving from Hoffenheim in January. The Frenchman has made 10 appearances without scoring.
Keane's influence, particularly on the Leeds United strikers, could be invaluable. He could work on Bamford's confidence in front of the goal to get him back to his best as not long ago Bamford showed his class by scoring 17 goals in the 2020-21 season. The Irishman could also gave some priceless tips to 21-year-old Rutter and get him to score goals again.
Rodrigo got their goal against Manchester City last weekend and he is the club's top scorer in the Premier League this season. The Brazil-born Spain international has found the back of the net 12 times in 28 Premier League matches. Keane could help him continue, or even better his output in the final stretch of the season.
Unfortunately, Leeds United's problems are not just in the attacking areas but also defensively. They have an abysmal goal difference of minus 25. Keane played as a striker throughout his career and it will be interesting to see if he can influence the defensive side of things. In a storied career as a marksman, it is certain that he would have some pearls of wisdom to share with the back four on how to best tackle opposition centre-forwards.
Time will tell if Robbie Keane will help save the Whites from relegation this season. Many Leeds fans would want to see their former player influencing the final three games from the touchline and help them live to fight another day.
