Keane takes first steps in coaching

Ireland captain Robbie Keane has taken another step towards carving out a future career in coaching by completing his Uefa B course.

Last year, Keane hit out at the lack of former internationals graduating into the coaching sphere compared to England and took his first steps on the ladder with an initial course arranged by the FAI.

For the past four days, during his off-season break from the Major Soccer League, the 34-year-old donned his tracksuit at IT Carlow and the AUL complex in Dublin to listen and learn the tips of coaching.

Keane was joined on the course by his former Tottenham Hotspur and LA Galaxy team-mate Carlo Cudicini, with both effusive in their praise of the syllabus.

Ireland’s record goalscorer recently spoke of a desire to extend his career by another three or four years, yet he does foresee himself imparting his knowledge from the sidelines thereafter.

As well as completing the B licence, Keane utilised the last couple of days to make some headway on the A badge, which is the precursor to enlisting on the Pro Licence course.

Most leagues in Europe require coaches to have attained, or least commenced, this highest qualification in Europe.

Keane said: “I’d like to thank the combined team of the FAI plus Paul O’Reilly, Luke Hardy and the rest of the lecturers at IT Carlow for my training.

“It’s nice to have this professional qualification which I may put to good use when I eventually retire.

“I have to say that the course was an eye-opener. As a player, it gets to me when a coach is stopping and starting training sessions but I’ve a better understanding now.

“I’ve certainly seen how it works from the other side, so I won’t be giving the coaches as much of a hard time anymore.”

Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane will use today’s Championship fixtures to check on defensive cover as concern over Marc Wilson’s fitness grows.

The Ireland manager is due to Vicarage Road where Noel King’s U21 captain Tommie Hoban is expected to start his fourth Watford game in a row for the visit of Charlton Athletic.

More emerging centre-backs will fall under the gaze of Keane, at Wigan Athletic’s meeting with Blackburn Rovers. Along with in-form attacker James McClean, the Latics should have Rob Kiernan marshalling their defence, as will Shane Duffy for Rovers.

First-choice Ireland centre-back Wilson has endured an injury-plagued campaign, with a knee complaint following the hamstring strain that ruled him out of the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland in November.

His Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has revealed they are “managing” the injury of Wilson, who has featured in just one Premier League game over the past month.