Keane to embrace dual role after finalising Villa deal

For somebody who considers 24 not enough hours in the day, Roy Keane is willing to deliver the graft demanded of his new double-jobbing arrangement confirmed by Aston Villa yesterday.

What appeared to be an unworkable accord for the FAI only two months ago by allowing their senior team’s assistant manager be shared with an English Premier League club came to fruition at lunchtime through announcements made simultaneously in Birmingham and Dublin.

Keane officially begins work on the Bodymoor Heath training ground as Paul Lambert’s sidekick on Monday, though the duo have already been immersed in discussions throughout the summer on transfer targets and pre-season plans.