FAI silent after Keane departure

Keane retired from Republic duty last month after winning 66 caps

Roy Keane's departure from Old Trafford will lead to renewed speculation that he could be in line for the vacant Republic of Ireland managerial job.

On Friday afternoon, the Football Association of Ireland refused to comment on Keane's abrupt severing of links with Manchester United.

However, FAI sources made clear last month that they were interested in talking to the 66-times capped player.

Keane was high on their list along with Martin O'Neill and Sir Alex Ferguson.

With O'Neill and Ferguson publicly ruling themselves out of contention, Terry Venables then emerged as the favourite for the job but Keane's shock departure from Old Trafford could lead to the FAI now making serious attempts to court the Corkman.

Keane was sent home days before the 2002 World Cup after an infamous row with then Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy.

He vowed then to never play for his country again while McCarthy was in charge, and duly stayed in the cold until Brian Kerr took the helm for the Republic.

After the 2002 World Cup debacle, the idea of Keane ever managing his country would have appeared inconceivable.

However, the ex-Manchester United captain was largely vindicated in an official report into FAI organisation and the association's current chief executive John Delaney holds Keane in high regard.

Appointing Keane as managerial would be a huge gamble by the FAI given his lack of managerial experience.

But it's one that the FAI might be prepared to take.