Eamon Dunphy doesn’t think Roy Keane should replace Stephen Kenny as the next Republic of Ireland manager.
It was announced during the week that Kenny had officially left his role in charge and that has led to speculation about the next manager, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane tipped among the favourites.
Keane hasn’t been a manager in almost 12 years, though he was assistant manager under Martin O’Neill when Ireland qualified for Euro 2026.
However, Keane would not be at the top of Dunphy’s list. The pundit previously held a strong relationship with the former Ireland international, having ghost-written his first autobiography, but it doesn’t seem like they’re as close these days.
Dunphy told Morning Ireland that he wants Lee Carsley to get the job, saying (H/t Sports Joe): “Lee Carsley played 40 times for Ireland, he won the Euro Championships with England last summer.
“I’m told by people who have watched him work that he’s the real deal, he would be my pick.”
When asked about Keane potentially getting the job, Dunphy didn’t hold back from saying what he thought by urging the FAI to stay away from him.
“I would say no. Anyone who knows his record in management and fights he’s had with players would say no.
“He had one achievement, he got Sunderland promoted but other than that, even with the Irish team – we lost Declan Rice and that’s a mistake that the [Martin] O’Neill-Keane management team made.
“They should’ve capped him, they had him in the camp, they didn’t.”
Dunphy went on to add: “I wouldn’t say Roy Keane, he might be box office for a while but the pressure on international team management would get to him.”
Let us know in the comments section if you think Keane is cut out for management on the international stage.
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