Roy Keane is expected to become assistant manager of Aston Villa by the start of July.
Keane, also assistant to Martin O’Neill within the Republic of Ireland set-up, will join Paul Lambert’s backroom team despite the uncertainty over Villa’s future ownership.
Randy Lerner is looking to sell the club on as quickly as possible but Keane will join the Birmingham side regardless.
Keane will stay on with Ireland but quit his punditry role with ITV for this summer’s World Cup when rumours of the Villa job first surfaced.
One man who is unlikely to be at Villa Park at the start of the season is former Ireland ‘keeper Shay Given.
Given temporarily took over as Lambert’s assistant following the mysterious suspensions of Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa, but is now looking for a move away from Villa as he eyes a return to first team football.
