Middlesbrough have confirmed Robbie Keane’s exit from the club in the wake of Jonathan Woodgate’s sacking.
Neil Warnock has been appointed as Woodgate’s successor and is tasked with keeping the Championship strugglers up.
Warnock will confirm his backroom team at a press conference this evening but while Danny Coyne and Leo Percovich are staying on, Keane is not.
A Middlesbrough statement read: “Robbie Keane has opted to leave the club following the decision to relieve Jonathan Woodgate of his duties as head coach.
“The Irishman’s contract was due to expire at the end of the current season and with Neil Warnock bringing in his own coaches, Robbie has decided to leave with immediate effect.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Robbie for all his hard work and wish him well for his future in coaching and management.”
With six games to go, Boro are fourth from bottom but level on 41 points with Hull City who are in the relegation zone.
Boro appointed Keane, who is a former Leeds and Tottenham team-mate of Woodgate, as their assistant manager last June.
The pair succeeded Tony Pulis who had failed to get the club promoted, but the rookie pair have endured a torrid season.
Shot-shy Boro have scored the fewest amount of goals - 37 - in their 38 league games to date and have just one win in their last 14 games in all competitions.
A Middlesbrough statement this morning read: “MFC can confirm that head coach Jonathan Woodgate has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
“Jonathan was relieved of his role on Tuesday morning and will be replaced by the experienced Neil Warnock.
“Warnock will assume responsibility immediately.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Jonathan for all his work in the role of head coach.”
Keane’s situation with the FAI has still to be resolved.
The country’s record scorer and leading caps holder was one of Mick McCarthy’s assistants with the Republic of Ireland.
But despite having another two years to run on his contract, he is not part of new boss Stephen Kenny’s coaching team.
Talks between Keane and the FAI have been ongoing for months.
