Roy Keane among favourites for new manager's job

Roy Keane is one of the favourites to land the new Republic of Ireland job ahead of some huge names.

Stephen Kenny’s exit was confirmed by the Ireland FA on Wednesday evening after a three-and-a-half year spell at the helm. Kenny failed to guide Ireland to a major tournament, with the Boys in Green finishing fourth in Group B during Euro 2024 qualifying.

Now former captain Keane has joined a list of names tipped to succeed Kenny. Keane, who won 67 caps for his country, is the third favourite to land the job at 5/1 odds.

The Manchester United legend and Sky Sports pundit has a mixed record as a manager. He succeeded in getting Sunderland promoted in 2006/07 but disappointed in his spell at Ipswich, where he was sacked 13 years ago.

Of course, Keane has plenty of experience as a coach for Ireland too, having served as Martin O’Neill’s assistant between 2013 and 2018. But the 52-year-old’s last involvement in management came as Nottingham Forest assistant, leaving the role after just five months in 2019.

Keane is currently tipped for the Ireland job ahead of the likes of Sam Allardyce and Steve Bruce, who has taken a break from management since his Newcastle reign came to a crashing halt. Former Ireland international Lee Carsley, who guided England’s U21s to European Championship glory in the summer, is at 4/1 odds to take over the reins.

But the favourite as it stands is ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon, who won 10 trophies across two spells for the Scottish giants and was linked with the Republic job in 2018. The former Northern Ireland captain has been out of work for over a year since being sacked by Cypriot club Omonia.