O'Neill and Keane

Roy Keane set for Republic of Ireland return 11 years after THAT Saipan bust-up
1 Nov 2013 22:30
Martin O'Neill is favourite for top job and wants Irish icon infamously banished from pre-World Cup training camp as his No.2

Roy Keane is poised for a sensational return to football as Martin O’Neill’s No.2 with the Republic of Ireland.

O’Neill will be confirmed as Giovanni Trapattoni’s successor next week, and the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss wants Manchester United legend Keane by his side.

A deal has still to be struck, but the O’Neill-Keane ticket should be in place for the friendly with Latvia in Dublin on November 15.

Keane’s controversial outbursts both as a player and ITV pundit have made enemies with some of the powerbrokers at the *Football Association of Ireland.

But Northern Irishman O’Neill’s desire to install him as assistant manager smoothed over any objections.

The 61-year-old - out of football since being axed by Sunderland in March - met with an FAI official earlier this week to put his case.

Keane, 42, has been out of management since Ipswich sacked him in 2011, and said recently that he feared he might never get another touchline gig.

But O’Neill is ready to hand his fellow former Sunderland boss a lifeline, and the pair are expected to meet to discuss the role next week.

They are also due to appear together as ITV pundits for Manchester United’s Champions League clash at Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

Keane has *championed O’Neill for the Ireland job since Trapattoni was sacked after defeat by Austria in September and the end of hopes of qualification for next summer's World Cup.

“Martin would be a very good guy for the job,” said the Manchester United legend. “But that is just my opinion.”

When asked recently about succeeding *Trapattoni himself, Keane responded: “I’ve more important things to be worried about.”

The day Trapattoni was sacked, FAI chief John Delaney refused to close the door on Keane becoming manager.

Delaney said: “Saipan [and the infamous fall-out with then-boss Mick McCarthy - see below] is gone. It’s 11 years ago.

"I will work with whoever is presented to us to make Irish football great.”




well what do you think of that? Polar opposites or what?

 

Yes, sensational ....... the Republic of Ireland

Keane set such a good example of dedication to the cause didn't he

 

the only thing missing from o'neill's stint with us was someone prepared to get stuck in on the training ground and give the players what for.

the only thing missing from keane's tenure was a cool tactical head.

could work out alright imo... both did a lot for us, and i wished it had worked out with both so good luck to them.

 

To be fair Keane never turned up for training neither.

 

this was one of my biggest complaints about oneils time here was the selection of steve walford as his assistant ,hardly an inspired choice and never been over the halfway line in his life ,offered nothing imo

 

ha. good point, they haven't thought this through at all...

maybe o'neill's only taking the job to set keane on mcclean.

 

I'd gan along with this like

 

At least with Keane there the players will know they'll have first class travel & hotels everywhere they go

 

only if they show up on time...

 

It will be very interesting to see if it does work. Looks wierd to me like.