Former Manchester United and Ireland midfield powerhouse Roy Keane is reportedly in advanced talks to take over as the next manager of the Ireland national team.
However, according to sources familiar with the situation, the successor to current manager Stephen Kenny won’t be officially announced until April.
Keane, who previously served as assistant to Martin O’Neill, has emerged as a strong contender for the role.
One of the highlights of his coaching career was guiding Ireland to the knockout stages of Euro 2016. His managerial experience includes successful stints at clubs like Sunderland, where he led the team to Premier League promotion.
While at Sunderland, Keane showcased his managerial prowess, earning recognition for his tactical acumen and leadership on the sidelines. He also had a brief managerial spell at Ipswich Town, where he spent 18 months at the helm before moving on to other roles in football.
After his managerial career, Keane transitioned to assistant coaching at clubs like Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
At Forest, he initially made his breakthrough in England after starting his coaching journey with Cobh Ramblers.
Reports from the Irish Examiner suggest that Keane has held multiple meetings with the Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) headhunting team, indicating severe consideration for the managerial position.
Despite speculation, former Ireland international John O’Shea, who served as interim boss for recent friendlies, is not believed to be in contention for the role.
Speaking about his interest in international football, Keane expressed his fondness for the dynamics of coaching on the global stage. He highlighted the appeal of not being involved in day-to-day operations and emphasized his positive experience coaching with Martin O’Neill during their time with the Irish team.
As the FAI continues its search for a new manager, anticipation mounts among fans and pundits alike regarding who will lead the Ireland national team into the future.
Keane’s potential appointment is sure to intensify discussions in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned as further developments unfold, and the FAI prepares to unveil the next manager tasked with guiding Ireland through its upcoming international campaigns.
