No need to be coy, Roy offers something few can match

IF THE FAI were looking for a box office manager like no other for the Republic of Ireland, all they had to do was say yes to Roy Keane.

Instead, the association’s headhunters allowed the biggest personality in Irish sport, and one of Ireland’s greatest ever footballers, to walk away.

At least they did before Gus Poyet hoppped on the bus yesterday. Maybe now there is no need to be coy about Roy.

That no permanent manager is in place when the FAI were preparing for life after Stephen Kenny as far back as last September, after Euro 2024 losses to

France and Holland, beggars belief.

That the FAI met Keane three times indicates two things.

Firstly, that Keane was a person of immense interest for the FAI and secondly, how much passion Keane had for the job.

The Keano of previous years wouldn’t have displayed such patience. He’d have told the FAI to take a hike.

It’s understood a difference of opinion about funding contributed to the impasse, which makes no sense because appointing Keane would have generated millions for the FAI, in sponsors and ticket sales.

By going cool on Keane, the opportunity for Irish football to regain ground in the battle for public acclaim has been lost by the FAI. Instead, the Rugby XV will continue to hold the high ground.

Keane might not have managed as a No 1 for 13 years but he was No 2 with Ireland from 2013 to 2018, the last successful period of the team. He is a football fanatic who attends far more games than the ones he sees from the Sky Sports couch.

His sheer presence, winning mentality, and a refusal to accept anything but the best would have shaken up the Irish dressing room – and given every opposing manager something to be wary about.

Asking Keane to lead Irish football out of the dark and into the sunlight would be a gamble yes, but a glorious one.

It’s something for the FAI hierarchy to think about on this weekend of renewal.