Derry’s Martin O’Neill would like to stay on as Republic of Ireland manager
REPUBLICc of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has said he will be happy to remain in his role, provided the FAI still want him.
The Derry man’s contract elapsed “about a minute and a half after the result” of Ireland’s 2-1 defeat to hosts France in Lyon yesterday.
Speaking before his team prepared to fly home from their Euro 2016 adventure, O’Neill said he’d “be happy to continue on.”
O’Neill added that he would be happy to keep Roy Keane as his assistant manger, but said the Cork man will decide for himself.
Praising the former Manchester United midfielder, O’Neill said Keane has “been great for the team.”
While he said he would sit down with Keane before a decision was made, he added that most of the conversations needed to confirm the extension have taken place.
“I think we’re pretty well all in place if the FAI board want to continue on,” O’Neill said.
Both O’Neill and Keane made a verbal commitment to remain in charge of the side until 2018, although no formal contract was signed.
Following the defeat to France, captain Seamus Coleman and goalscorer Robbie Brady urged the pair to continue in their roles.
It is now up to the FAI to make that decision and keep on the duo who guided Ireland to the Euro finals and into the last 16 of the competition.
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