Fresh Roy Keane twist in Ireland boss race after 'further talks' as big ...
ROY Keane’s salary demands could price him out of the race to become the next Ireland manager, insiders believe.
The midfield legend has emerged as a shock contender to succeed Stephen Kenny, after it was reported he’d met with the FAI about the job on three occasions.
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Keano, 52, previously confirmed that the vacant senior side’s hot seat would interest him following his spell as Martin O’Neill’s assistant from 2013 to 2018.
But sources close to the negotiations believe the controversial Corkman won’t be given the chance to manage his country because of his wage expectations, with the new boss expected to earn around €700,000.
Keane is understood to have told colleagues that the money on offer wasn’t enticing enough for him to quit his role as a Sky Sports and ITV pundit, for which he’s reputed to be on €3m.
A source said: “There was contact between the two parties last month but nothing was agreed. Most people didn’t realise there had been further talks and meetings until the reports this week.
“Keane has said publicly he would be interested in the job but he has told colleagues the money on offer wasn’t great.
“He earns very good money with Sky and ITV and he was well-paid as assistant so he’s well aware of his worth.
“The general feeling is that the money that would come with the job wouldn’t be enough to tempt him.”
Interim manager John O’Shea is also vying for the top job. During his time in charge, ex-senior team boss Kenny earned €205,000 in 2019 before being bumped up to €300,000 in 2020 and €560,000 in 2021.
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Thanks in part to businessman Denis O’Brien, who assisted with payments until 2017, Keane is believed to have been paid in the region of half a million during his stunt as Ireland number two.
The former Ipswich and Sunderland boss was assistant to O’Neill during the last time an Ireland team qualified for a major tournament, Euro 2016.
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Despite enjoying widespread success as a no-nonsense TV pundit, the former Ireland skipper has made no secret of his desire to get back into management.
Asked earlier this year whether the Ireland job would be of interest, Roy admitted: “Yes, I enjoyed international football when I was a coach there.
“I like the dynamics of it where you’re not in every day and it’s not about bringing players in and dealing with the board every week.
“That does appeal to me, I did enjoy the dynamics when I was coaching with the Irish team – that could be an option.”
'Disrespected'But just last month, Keano suggested he was ready to turn his back on his managerial ambitions and said talks over a return to the dugout left him feeling “disrespected”.
Appearing on Stick to Football, Roy admitted: “I am swaying now towards not going back into it.
“I just think it’s not worth the hassle and people constantly disrespect you or whatever…time wasters.”
He later added: “Not talking about Pep (Guardiola) and (Jurgen) Klopp’s level.
“But when you go down a certain level and you have any sorts of chats or discussions about going back into work – I’m not joking you, people think you are so desperate you’ll sign anything.”
Still on targetEarlier this week, the FAI confirmed they were still on target to appoint a new boss by April 10.
A spokesperson said: “The board of the FAI had its scheduled end of month meeting and a range of issues were discussed.
“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 (Marc Canham), with an announcement planned in April, as planned.”
President Paul Cooke later told RTE: “We’re on schedule for an April announcement.
“The (precise) timing is not certain at this moment in time. We’ve narrowed the process well down.
Right fit“We would be comfortable that the candidate will fit into our plan and processes going forward.
“The intention is that the manager will start as soon as possible.”
Marc Canham - charged with leading the search for Kenny’s permanent successor - last month claimed the association had struck a deal with its preferred target.
However, he added that “existing contractual obligations” precluded them from announcing that person’s identity until early April.
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