22 November 2023 , 20:55
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Roy Keane could be in contention to become the next manager of the Republic of Ireland following the departure of Stephen Kenny.
After a deflating Euro 2024 qualifying campaign could only be followed up by a 1-1 home draw with New Zealand on Tuesday night, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed Kenny's contract would not be renewed. CEO of the FA Jonathan Hill has since hailed Kenny's body of work, crediting him for bringing through a younger generation of players.
But having been tenuously linked with the Wales job last month, Keane has now emerged as a shock contender to replace the 52-year-old. According to PA, the former Manchester United man may find himself in the frame with the likes of Neil Lennon, Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton and Lee Carsley. But it is the links to Keane which will undoubtedly harbour the most attention.
Keane won 67 caps for Ireland but his time in international football, as both a player and a coach, proved as controversial as it did productive. He notoriously left the Irish squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup in Japan amid a furious bust-up with then manager Mick McCarthy, who he later savaged along with the FAI in his subsequent autobiography.
He would briefly return to the set-up under Brian Kerr before retiring from national duty for good in 2006. But seven years later, Keane would return as assistant manager to Martin O'Neill, helping them the squad to Euro 2016.
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The pair eventually stepped away in 2018 after missing out on the World Cup in Russia, but not before the 52-year-old had again been involved in a series of divisive incidents. He fell-out with Everton after accusing the Premier League club of pressurising players not to join up with the Irish squad, and he was publicly critical of a number of his players.
Roy Keane during his time as Ireland assistant manager (Stu Forster/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Roy Keane be suitable for the Ireland job? Comment below.
He also rowed with journalists on more than one occasion, frequently rejecting suggestions he was proving a distraction for O'Neill and co. But while the manager regularly backed his right-hand man, fans will also note that Keane has not been in the main seat himself with a team for 12 years.
That was after his tenure at Ipswich Town had ended after 21 months in charge. He'd previously taken Sunderland to the Premier League as champions, and kept the Black Cats in the top-flight before falling out with senior figures.
Keane currently works as a pundit for Sky Sports, and has not personally expressed a desire to return to the game in a managerial capacity. Ireland have not played at a major tournament since the Euros in France seven years ago, where they reached the last-16 before losing to the hosts.