Roy Keane on brink of Ireland job

EXCLUSIVE

Roy Keane will be named as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland if Martin O’Neill quits.

Current boss O’Neill is in talks about a return to Leicester and bosses at the FAI were happy to have him share both jobs.

Yet we understand the Leicester board are not happy about the prospect of sharing their manager with Ireland so he may have to completely cut ties with the Ireland job.

O’Neill wants Keane to go to the KP Stadium as his assistant at Leicester but we are told he will not consider that role.

So he will land the job he has always wanted as Ireland boss.

An FAI source told us: “The situation is complicated. But if Martin goes to Leicester we will obviously move for Roy as boss.

“He has done a brilliant job as Martin’s No2 but we know he is itching to get back as the main man. He will be offered that opportunity.”

Leicester want O’Neill back as he is a legend with Foxes fans after twice winning the League Cup with the club in the 1990s and has been identified by the owners as the first choice to replace Nigel Pearson.

Former skipper Neil Lennon wanted the job – as we revealed –but it appears the club’s owners want an international name.

Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is also on the short list, but Leicester believe the financial backing they can offer will be enough to tempt O’Neill to quit his job as Republic of Ireland boss and return to club management.

Keane was assistant to Paul Lambert at Aston Villa but wants to return as the main man again and will be offered the chance with his native country if O’Neill leaves.