Roy Keane hinted he would be open to taking the Republic of Ireland job last year following talks with the Football Association of Ireland, but his opinion seems to have changed after some poor results
Roy Keane has slammed the Football Association of Ireland, claiming they “couldn’t organise a p*** up in a brewery” following dismal World Cup qualifying performances. The Manchester United icon hinted at his interest in managing his country after discussions, but appears to have ruled out that prospect.
Keane earned 67 caps for Ireland between 1991 and 2005, experiencing a stormy international career that included the infamous Saipan controversy. He subsequently worked alongside Martin O’Neill as assistant manager with the national team for five years until 2018.
Discussions between the 54-year-old and the FAI emerged last year, with Keane acknowledging he harboured ambitions to return to international management. However, following two disappointing World Cup qualifying clashes, his stance appears to have shifted considerably.
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“They’re up against it,” said Keane, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast this week. “I don’t think the players are playing enough at the higher level for the bigger clubs. It’s been tough on the manager. Physically, they’re not great. My goodness.”
Asked by former team-mate Gary Neville if he has spoken to the FAI about becoming manager, Keane replied: “Yeah, I spoke to them, of course. But I think they spoke to everybody.
“The reason you might take the job is that you think you could help the team. They might lack quality. Try to get them organised with a bit of fight and a bit of spirit.
“[But] it’s a farce. The amount of people who have come up in the last six months saying they were offered a job or they’ve spoken to them. That’s the FAI for you, they couldn’t organise a p*** up in a brewery,” he added.
“You look at the manager, and you fear for him. He’s up against it. To lose to Armenia and be well beaten is a sore one. They’ve had some tough results over the last few years.”
This signals a significant shift from Keane’s attitude last year, when he made it quite clear that taking the Ireland job could be on his agenda. Such a stark change comes on the back of poor Irish results under boss Heimir Hallgrímsson.
They suffered a 2-1 defeat to Armenia this week after previously managing just a 2-2 stalemate with Hungary. This leaves them at the bottom of UEFA World Cup qualification Group F and facing an uphill battle, with leaders Portugal still to come.
“I did enjoy the international set-up when I was working with Martin as a coach. I like the dynamics, the flow of international football,” Keane revealed on the same podcast in 2024.
“It wasn’t 24 hours a day, but you’re still working at a good level, so if you’re on about dream jobs, I suppose – it’s a bit silly saying it, but maybe the Irish job.
“But obviously, I think that ship has sailed as well. The only thing I have inside me is – I know I’m going back a long time, and obviously I worked with Martin for a while with Ireland – I do think I could do a good job.
“Maybe it’s a bit of ego, I don’t know. Maybe that will never leave me. But also, if I didn’t go back into management, I’m fine with that. I’ve a great life. I’ve never been so contented in my life, so be careful what you wish for.
“I still have a feeling I could do something. Maybe that will never leave me. That’s not a bad thing. But also, I’m very comfortable with what I’m doing.”
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