Keane fuels job speculation by putting house on market

ROY KEANE has put his plush Suffolk home on the market amid fresh suggestions that he’s in the frame to be the next manager of Watford.

The Cork man’s decision to sell the six-bedroom property, only six miles from Ipswich Town’s Playford Road training ground, will fuel speculation that Keane is in line for another managerial offer. He previously stated he would remain in the Ipswich area while his children continued their education locally.

Keane is reportedly looking for offers around £3.5 million (€3.9m) after paying around £2m for the stunning house overlooking the River Deben.

Keane spent most of his first season at Ipswich Town in a rented property up the Suffolk coast in Aldeburgh while his house was being refurbished.

Keane was sacked by Ipswich in January after nearly two years as manager. But fellow Championship outfit Watford is looking for a new manager after Malky MacKay quit to take the reins at Cardiff City. Ironically, MacKay got the job despite a flood of money wagered on Alan Shearer, with bookmakers William Hill confirming that the market was reacting to “a weight of money” on Shearer in the Cork area.

“In most cases these bets come from a massive rumour that circulates in one area and what’s interesting in this case is that it’s come from Roy Keane’s home town,” said a William Hill spokesperson.

However a Keane move back north to Manchester cannot be ruled out, considering his continuing property interests there.

Keane is reportedly still trying to sell the seven-bed house in Cheshire he bought for £3.2m six years ago. The property was valued at £9.5m but the Keanes dropped the price by £2m this year.