Keano backs big Niall to have ‘good go’ at FAI

ROY KEANE has given his backing to Niall Quinn as deputy CEO of FAI and revealed he ‘really misses’ his involvement with the Republic of Ireland.

‘Big Niall is back on board and he’ll have a good go of it. Give him a chance,’ said Keane on

The Late Late Show.

It was Quinn, as chairman, who gave Keane a ‘chance’ in management at Sunderland in 2006. After initial success, relations became strained before Keane resigned in December 2008.

The Sky Sports pundit has followed the FAI as it teetered on the brink of financial meltdown before the reforms and rescue which included the appointment of Quinn.

‘It’s been tough going in the FAI but it probably had to get so bad for there to be a new start,’ said Keane.

‘I loved working with the FAI from a coaching point of view; they had some brilliant people.

‘It’s not all doom and gloom; we know in sport how quickly things can change.

‘If Ireland qualify for the Euros, there will be a feelgood factor. You’ll see a huge change in momentum.

‘I really enjoyed working with Martin O’Neill and his staff. We had some success, a bit of luck along the way and a sticky patch towards the end.

‘The experience I had in France at Euro 2016 was right up there with anything I enjoyed as a player. We had a great laugh and working with players such as Seamus Coleman was brilliant. I still really miss it.’

Keane feels he ‘deserves’ a return to frontline management. ‘I’ve a gut feeling something will come up over the next few months. I think I deserve another crack,’ said Keane. ‘Ireland wasn’t an easy job. They don’t qualify for tournaments that often.’