Roy Keane holds three meetings over new manager job after 'enjoyment' admission

Roy Keane has held numerous meetings with The Football Association of Ireland during their search for a new head coach.

The former Manchester United and Ireland captain, 52, won 67 caps for his country during an illustrious playing career which also saw him win major honours at club level, including the Premier League and the Champions League. Keane then moved into coaching, enjoying success at Sunderland, but hasn’t held a managerial role since leaving Ipswich Town in 2011.

Keane is no stranger to the Ireland set-up having served as Martin O’Neill’s assistant between 2013 and 2018 – and it has now emerged that he was one of the candidate’s shortlisted by the FAI following their decision to part company with Stephen Kenny.

Keane and the FAI held three separate meetings to discuss the vacancy, as first revealed by the Irish Examiner, with an appointment expected to be confirmed in April.

Intriguingly, one of Keane’s former Manchester United team-mates, John O’Shea, is currently in charge on a caretaker basis. He has also made no secret of his desire to take the reins on a permanent basis, although the report outlines he is more likely to return to his previous role as an assistant coach.

Keane, who rejected the chance to return to management at Sunderland back in 2021, has been open about his desire to manage again. He also made a point of referencing how much he enjoyed the stripped back demands of international football in January.

Speaking during an episode of The Overlap, he explained: “Yeah, international football – I enjoyed it when I was a coach for a while. I like the dynamics of it, where you’re not in every day, and it’s not about bringing players in and I suppose dealing with the board every week or the academy.

Join the debate! Would Keane be a good appointment for Ireland? Let us know here.

Roy Keane during his spell as Republic of Ireland assistant manager

“Yeah, that does appeal. I did like the dynamics when I was coaching with Martin with the Irish team. We had a little bit of success, and when you’ve had a little bit of success, then it’s brilliant, and obviously there are disappointments. So, yeah, that could be an option.”

Ireland have not qualified for this summer’s European Championships so will have a free summer for any new manager to make his mark. O’Shea oversaw a 0-0 draw with Belgium and a narrow 1-0 loss to Switzerland during the international break.

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