After much speculation over the past week, the FAI today confirmed, via Newstalk, Martin O’Neill as Giovanni Trapattoni’s successor with Roy Keane as assistant manager.
After the footballing public fell out of love with the Trap regime, the instalment of O’Neill and Keane is sure to revive the interest in the fortunes of the Boys in Green and the FAI were keen to have the pair in their new roles ahead of the upcoming friendlies with Latvia and Poland.
Newstalk confirmed the news on their 11am news bulletin. With the financial backing again of businessman Denis O’Brien, it is reported that O’Neill will be paid in the region of €1.2 million with Keane, it is believed, on something much closer to €500,000. The overall annual package will be in the region of €2 million when the salaries of Steve Walford, former Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Séamus McDonagh and Steve Guppy. Mike McGurn will also form part of the backroom team.
We can confirm that the management appointment process with Martin O’Neill & Roy Keane is at an advanced stage.Updates from @FAIreland today
— FAI (@FAIreland) November 5, 2013
The former Northern Ireland player has agreed to take the job on what is likely to be an initial two-year deal with an option to continue for a further two that may be directly linked to qualification for Euro 2016, with combined bonuses of close to €1 million will reportedly be paid if the Irish team qualifies for France.
The 61-year old had been bookies’ favourite right from the outset, and after Ray Houghton and Ruud Doktor concluded their search of the options available, the former Northern Ireland player was still the number one choice.
The inclusion of Keane will polarise many Irish football supporters, but the FAI are satisfied they got their number one choice.
We will wait and see tonight if O’Neill and Keane will pass much comment on the new roles when they appear on ITV’s coverage for the Manchester United versus Sociedad clash in Spain, while a press conference to unveil both men will be held on Thursday.
FAI chief executive John Delaney is due on Newstalk this morning to tell Pat Kenny more about the deal. We’ll bring you details as soon as we have them.
UPDATE: John Delaney tells Pat Kenny doesn’t see ‘any impediment’ to the duo being confirmed, that the contracts are with the solicitors but he does say that it could be Saturday before we have an official unveiling.
Says that Keane was O’Neill’s idea, as was the rest of his backroom team.
Delaney reiterates there is no issue between himself and Keane
John Delaney in the @newstalkfm studio now #PKNT pic.twitter.com/3ZFm64zrBm
— Pat Kenny Newstalk (@patkennynt) November 5, 2013
O’Neill to explain exactly the role of Keane at Saturday’s press conference.
Delaney: ‘Saipan was 13 years ago. A line should be drawn in the sand.’
‘Wants people to get behind this appointment. Want to work together.’
‘Keane impressed me when we spoke.’
‘This going to be a rollercoaster we are all going to enjoy.’
