Roy Keane reveals he is OPEN to a return to management – 13 years after his last role ended – as the Man United legend explains he has his eye on one particular job!

Roy Keane has revealed he would be open to a return to management, with the Irishman keeping his eye on one particular job.

The former Man United hard-man has coached at several clubs since retirement, but after leaving his last role as Martin O’Neill’s assistant boss at Nottingham Forest in June 2019, Keane has focused on punditry.

The 52-year-old had two stints as a No 1, leading Sunderland from relegation trouble in the Championship to mid table security in the Premier League between 2006 and 2008. However, Keane endured a less successful spell at Ipswich Town between 2009 to 2011, guiding them to 15th in the second tier in his only full season in charge before being sacked the following campaign.

Keane also spent five years as O’Neill’s assistant for the Republic of Ireland along with a short spell as Paul Lambert’s No 2 at Aston Villa in 2014.

And now, Keane has explained that while he is not desperate to return to the dugout having rejected several offers in the past, he would be open to a comeback, 13 years after his last role ended. 

Keane previously managed Sunderland and Ipswich but was sacked by the Tractor Boys in 2011

‘I think so (I would be interested in returning), he told The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast. 

‘Not that you’re going to get the Real Madrid job, but it’s got to be the right challenge, the right club, and the right contract.

‘I’ve had opportunities, but sometimes you get offered a contract and you have to look at it with self-worth, is it the right deal for you? I’d like to go back in (to management), but I’m not desperate to sign any contract for anybody.’

Keane was then asked whether a return to the Republic of Ireland set-up, this time as manager, would appeal.

‘Yes, I enjoyed international football when I was a coach there,’ he added. ‘I like the dynamics of it where you’re not in every day and it’s not about bringing players in and dealing with the board every week.

‘That does appeal to me, I did enjoy the dynamics when I was coaching with the Irish team – that could be an option.’

Keane was pencilled in for a return to Sunderland in February 2022 when the Black Cats sacked Lee Johnson, with the Irishman the favourite for the role.

However, Keane rejected the opportunity, with the club citing contractual difficulties and instead appointing Alex Neil.

Meanwhile, the 52-year-old – who also won 67 caps for his country – remains one of the most popular pundits in the game, regularly ranting and raving on Sky Sports and ITV Sport.

Keane said he would be open to the Republic of Ireland role, having previously served as Martin O’Neill’s assistant manager from 2013 to 2018, while he also won 67 caps for his country

Keane has become one of the most popular pundits in the game on Sky Sports and ITV Sport

However, his colleague and close friend Micah Richards hinted it could be difficult for Keane to return to management after becoming such a success in the studio.

He added: ‘You know what, I think Roy obviously would be a great fit but he’s so good at punditry or so well-liked – people like his punditry, I love his punditry, some people don’t like his punditry – but he’s so well-liked within the media (that) I don’t understand why he would take a job.

‘It’s like you Al (Shearer), he’s not had a job for ten years. I would be very difficult now to just go in a changing room and think things are going to be the same now to ten years ago.’