I’M IN NO HURRY TO TAKE OVER
Of course I could do Martin’s job insists Keane, but I enjoy being No 2
ROY Keane believes he is ‘capable of managing Ireland’ but is not ‘looking to be jumping into people’s shoes’. In contrast, Keane is adamant the longer he stays as No2 to Martin O’Neill, the better it will be for the national team.
‘I’m not looking to succeed the manager (O’Neill) because I obviously want the manager to stay on as long as possible. That means we’re being successful,’ said Keane yesterday. ‘The longer I’m not the Irish manager the better, because obviously we’re then doing well.’
Like O’Neill, Keane shook hands with FAI chief executive John Delaney on a new two-year deal to cover the 2018 World Cup finals.
‘Obviously, if we’re not successful, and the manager does move on, I’d like to think I’d be part of the problem.’
O’Neill has endorsed Keane as his successor, even though the last assistant to become manager was Eoin Hand in 1980.
‘Do I think I’m capable of being a manager of Ireland? Of course I do,’ said Keane. ‘But we’ve just signed a new deal, as an assistant manager, which I enjoy.’
‘I made it clear a few months ago we were waiting to see what the manager was going to do.
‘Was the manager going to stay on? Would he want me to stay on with him? Would the deal be the right deal? All these things fell into place in last few days.
‘Once he decided to stay on, once he said he’d like me to continue making his tea, and the deal was right, then it was straightforward.’
Keane, who revealed he has turned down offers of a return to club management, confirmed there is a get-out clause in his contract.
‘My get-out clause is not 20 million quid, if you know what I mean. I think if somebody wants to come and take me, there’s a chance they will.’