Mon to manage Republic of Ireland?

[pauliewalnuts]

It is hardly a symptom of being unable to "get over" MON, though, is it?

A very small percentage of our fans never got over him leaving and still believe MON was too good for us. Some stayed, others went off to join the Mackems and are probably right now on iTunes buying up albums by The Dubliners.

VillaDawg is probably getting a Pogues tattoo right now.

[edgysatsuma89]

I have more bad than good to say about MON personally. But I do think he is suited to the job, with no money to piss up a wall.

[tomd2103]

He could have quite easily taken up a media role (especially with Hansen leaving the BBC at the end of the season), but obviously fancies another go at management.  Always felt he would be suited to international management, as that environment would negate a lot of his perceived weaknesses (transer dealings, squad rotation etc.).  Not sure how his usual tactics and style of play will fare on the international stage though.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I was not a fan when he managed us but international football could suit him.

[Mortimer's Bear]

I for one couldn't care less.

[eastie]

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.”

[gervilla]

Watching The Republic of Ireland play has been quite painful the last few years, I don't expect this to change.

[brontebilly]

only thing this circus is missing now is getting in eamon dunphy as kitman.

Dont know what Keane adds to MON's ticket apart from hype, guess the FAI is up shit creek financially so bringing in these two should ensure big crowds to the next couple of friendlies. Keane, the former Walkers Leprachaun, is a brazen hypocrite, hates the Irish national team, FAI, John Delaney, they offer him a few euros and looks like he is all over it.

Keane and MON have some terrible recent failures on their CV. 24 teams in the next Euros so qualification depending on the draw should be achievable. Where will will have our asses handed to us by the better side, players will start moaning about tactical inflexibility, media will moan about the style of football and the cycle will begin again......

Keane has more to gain here I reckon, if MON runs off he will be next in line to get the gig. MON should be bringing some tactical guru with him not a rent a quote gobshite. He can cover that part off himself

[saunders_heroes]

Watching The Republic of Ireland play has been quite painful the last few years, I don't expect this to change.

Isn't that basically because of the lack decent players though?

[eastie]

@patmurphybbc: Mutual admiration between O'Neill & Keane led to MON contact.Appear no serious barriers to the appts.MON intrigued by ying & yang potential

@patmurphybbc: MON taking the Ireland job not dependent on Keane agreeing to hooking up but they've built rapport working for ITV.Who'll play the bad cop?

My take is that he will do a decent job , no transfer market to contend with and he will get the best out of the players at his disposal - a good appointment in my view .

Regarding Keane - an odd choice of number 2 as Keane is very volatile and I'm not sure how they will get on if they disagree over anything - both stubborn men.

[olaftab]

Is that the same Keane who abandoned his country in Japan because he didn't have a comfy toilet seat?

[john e]

perfect job for MON as others have said,
 no money to waste, gets the best out of average players,
 and of course last but certainly not least, he is Irish,

[Clampy]

It'll be interesting to see how he gets on. He does have the ability to get the best out of players so initially he might do quite well.

[eastie]

Perfect way to end his managerial career - he won't have the success that jack charlton had as the quality of players isn't so high now but qualification for the euro finals in 2016 is certainly achievable for him.

[pauliewalnuts]

Keane and MON is a partnership which will end in tears.