Preston ‘draw up three-man manager shortlist with Robbie Keane and two former England stars’

ROBBIE KEANE is top of Preston North End’s three-man wishlist as they search for a new manager. The Championship side called it quits with former boss Paul Heckingbottom last week after losing six games in seven. Robbie Keane is tipped for a move to Preston, while but he may go to Celtic if Martin O’Neill gets the sack Credit: Sportsfile Tom Cleverley has also been named in the three-man shortlist Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Preston will face competition from two second-tier clubs for Keane’s signature, according to Alan Nixon’s Patreon. Everton assistant manager Leighton Baines and Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley are also on the shortlist. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Reports say that Preston had been flirting with a move for ex-Tottenham star Keane, 46. The ace has already had managerial success – picking up the league title and league cup at both Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hungarian club Ferencvaros. But that is not to say that the race to secure the former Irish striker will be an easy one with Championship competition – and maybe Celtic, should they cut ties with Martin O’Neill. Meanwhile, Baines joined the backroom at Everton in 2020 under the keen eye of Carlo Ancelotti and has remained by the side of David Moyes. And Cleverley led Watford for just over a year from March 2024 before joining Plymouth, with whom he nearly took to the play-offs. Preston are still the only English second-tier side to have sacked a manager heading into the international break. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Paul Heckingbottom was dismissed from Deepdale last week after a woeful Championship start Credit: Getty But they are said to be ready to brainstorm their managerial plans in the three-week hiatus. Managerless Preston scored in the first minute of their QPR clash on Saturday, before doubling their lead against the ten-man opposition before the break. Unfortunately for the Lilywhites, QPR scored twice with the second goal coming in the last minute of normal time. This leaves Preston 23rd in the Championship with four points, having only picked up points against Blackburn following a Callum Lang brace. Comment now