Big Mick unsure of what lies ahead for Keane in Irish set-up
COME what may in the play-offs, Mick McCarthy will head off in the summer as Ireland manager, taking Terry Connor, his long-serving No 2 with him, and probably goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, too.
But what of Robbie Keane’s future?
Ireland’s record goalscorer, who holds the title of coach in the senior set-up, has a different arrangement with the FAI than McCarthy.
Such was the desperation of former CEO John Delaney to involve Keane after Martin O’Neill was axed as manager in November 2018, that he offered the former Ireland captain a four-year contract, which runs until the summer of 2022.
The first year’s salary was €150,000, with a drop to €50,000 for the next three years.
Delaney’s plan at the time was to ‘sell’ the idea that Keane was being lined up as the future manager.
Only Stephen Kenny didn’t play ball and he cut a deal with Delaney to become Under 21 manager after which he would follow McCarthy. Keane, the rookie coach, would have to wait.
If the play-offs go belly-up, it makes sense for McCarthy to stand aside for Kenny to come on board for the three friendlies in June ahead of the Nations League in the autumn.
And what then for Keane, whose day job is assistant manager to Jonathan Woodgate at Middlesbrough?
‘I don’t know,’ admitted McCarthy.
‘That’s just another one of those conundrums that needs to be sorted out.
‘Robbie has a four-year contract. When I heard that, it was a surprise to me.’
McCarthy is always his own man and insists it was his call to include Keane on the managerial ticket, rather than any FAI influence.
‘If somebody would have said to me, “You can have this job but you have to take somebody with you”, there’s about as much chance of that happening as me or you flying to the moon this afternoon.
‘Having spoken to Robbie at the K Club, he was nipping in my ear a couple of times, saying, “Would you consider me?” I wanted him.’
As for Keane’s contribution as the No 3 in the Irish set-up, McCarthy has given him the thumbs up.
‘I thought it was a good idea at the time and it proved to be a better idea.
‘He has a really good relationship with the lads, he knows some of them but it’s as a coach he has impressed me more, because he is a coach, part of the management team, he’s one of the staff.
‘He has an opinion. If we are on the sideline looking at a substitution, he will have an opinion. Whether I say “Yeah, good idea” or “That ain’t happening”, I like the fact that he contributes. The sessions are good and he has been a really good professional.’
As for Keane staying on with the senior set-up, it’s not McCarthy’s call. ‘Stephen will have his own ideas, you’ll have to ask him.’