FAI told they ‘owe’ Roy Keane the Ireland job and critics ‘live in cuckoo land’

ROY KEANE is ‘owed’ the Republic of Ireland manager’s job, according to Pat Dolan.

The former Ireland and Manchester United captain emerged as a potential candidate following reports that the FAI had met with him three times.

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However, according to the Irish Mirror, the Corkman is not among the favourites for the gig, with insiders telling the Irish Sun that pay details may be a stumbling block.

The Boys in Green have been without a permanent manager since Stephen Kenny‘s exit back in November.

In lieu of a successor, John O’Shea was appointed as interim head coach for the March friendlies – the 0-0 draw with Belgium and 1-0 loss to Switzerland.

And while Keane is highly unlikely to be the next man in the dugout, former St Patrick’s Athletic boss Pat Dolan believes he should be.

And the ex-Ireland U21 international criticised those who suggested the 52-year-old would not be the right choice.

Dolan cited Keane’s on-field pedigree, starting at Cobh Ramblers, winning seven Premier League titles at Man Utd, and lifting the Scottish Premiership with Celtic.

Writing for the Irish Mirror, Dolan said: “Those people who are saying Roy Keane is not qualified to manage Ireland must be living in cloud cuckoo land.

“He has got that Cork strength that our senior men’s international team desperately needs.

“I am actually disgusted when people try to claim that Keane does not deserve to manage Ireland.

“That single-mindedness, that gift of having no fear, gives him a point of difference that the FAI should utilise.”

Dolan proceeded to analyse his coaching pedigree, which started with Sunderland.

Keane helped the Black Cats gain promotion to the Premier League in 2007 in his first season at the helm.

He moved onto manage Ipswich Town – his last managerial gig – before having subsequent assistant jobs at Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Ireland.

His last involvement in football was with Forest, whom he left in June 2019. He has since worked as a pundit with Sky Sports.

Dolan added: “If this process ends without a big name appointment then they will be heavily criticised for failing to deliver.

“But if they deliver Roy Keane then the country will be excited because they know we will be led by someone who does not feel inferior to anyone.

“We owe Roy Keane this job.”