FAI chiefs met with Roy Keane three times over managerial vacancy

As the FAI closes in on the appointment of a new men’s team manager, it has emerged that officials have met Roy Keane on three occasions about the vacancy.

Keane won 67 caps, captaining his country to the World Cup finals in 2002 without playing in them, and served as assistant during Martin O’Neill’s reign between 2013-2018.

The FAI on Wednesday reaffirmed their timeline of next month for unveiling a permanent boss, a delay caused by what director of football Marc Canham stated as “existing contractual obligations”.

"The board of the FAI had its scheduled end of month meeting this morning and a range of issues were discussed,” they said.

"The process to appoint our senior men's team head coach will now be finalised, led by the CEO (Jonathan Hill) and director of football (Canham), with an announcement planned in April, as planned."

Keane, 52, has been working as a pundit for Sky Sports and ITV since departing Nottingham Forest as O’Neill’s sidekick in 2019.

In July 2021, he rejected an offer to return as boss to Sunderland. Keane had begun his managerial career with gusto by elevating the Black Cats from bottom of the table to 2007 Championship winners.

It is known Keane was part of the original shortlist prepared by the FAI in the aftermath of Stephen Kenny’s departure last November.

The Irish Examiner understands that the headhunting team consisting of Hill, Canham and board member Packie Bonner held discussions with Keane three times since.

Hill has in the past stated his preference for an Irish manager being at the helm, a situation Canham later said would be a major plus.

Defender Dara O’Shea, in pushing John O‘Shea’s candidature this week, emphasised the importance of the FAI choosing a contender with a