United front for Ireland

ROY KEANE is being tipped for a sensational return to Irish international football duty — as assistant manager to Bryan Robson.

Reliable sources say Robson will propose Roy Keane as his assistant manager when he presents for interview for the Irish manager’s job next week.

The “dream-team” proposal would see Keane playing a dual role as player and assistant manager.

While FAI officials are keeping the interview process for the Ireland job watertight, reliable sources say the Robson/Keane package is now seen as a real possibility.

The deal is seen as particularly attractive to the FAI, because it would allow them to return Keane to the pitch and appoint a new manager in the one move.

Alternatively, they would have to risk appointing another manager, without any guarantee that Keane would ever play for Ireland again.

Robson and Keane have been firm friends for more than 10 years. Their friendship has endured since they were colleagues with Manchester United.

Robson is seen as one of the few former players that Keane respects both professionally and personally. When Keane joined United from Nottingham Forest he was seen as the natural successor to United legend Robson.

Now Robson is hoping he can team up with Keane again, with the Corkman leading the team on the pitch as well as enjoying a senior organisational role off it.

The three FAI officials who form the interview board, together with former Northern Ireland international Bryan Hamilton, have cut off all means of communication with the media, to keep their deliberations private.

But Robson has already spoken to Hamilton, the man appointed by the FAI to assist them in finding a new manager. And when he is interviewed by the FAI officers, sources say he will confirm that Keane would be his selection as assistant manager.

The move would be more attractive than alternative dream-team proposals from the other managerial candidates.

The other contenders for Mick McCarthy’s old job include Brian Kerr, Frank Stapleton, John Aldridge, Peter Reid, former Japan manager Philippe Troussier and Kenny Dalglish.