The FAI have confirmed that they are close to naming Martin O’Neill as the new Republic of Ireland manager with ex-Blues boss Roy Keane as his assistant.

“We can confirm that the management appointment process with Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane is at an advanced stage,” said a tweet from the FAI's official account this morning, adding that there will be further updates later today.

In another tweet, FAI chief executive John Delaney said: "Detailed discussions with Martin and Roy are advanced. We hope to have things signed by Saturday."

Town boss Mick McCarthy had been considered one of the main contenders for the role vacated by Giovanni Trapattoni in September but no contact was made with the Blues.

Speaking on Friday, as speculation that O’Neill’s appointment was close grew, McCarthy said: “I’ve said all along nobody’s asked me about it and I don’t see why I should answer questions which are hypothetical.

“I said six weeks ago that Martin O’Neill was getting it and I think you’ll probably find that that’s the case.”

Photo: Action Images

Marshalls_Mullet added 11:27 - Nov 5 I think MM will rule himself out once O'Neill is appointed.
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jutever added 11:29 - Nov 5 MM was right.... god help them with Mr Keane. COYB
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GunnsAirkick added 11:31 - Nov 5 Or perhaps he was baiting the press (as he has done several times in the past here and at his former clubs) due to being asked the same bloody question over and over again.
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SouperJim added 11:31 - Nov 5 Hmmm, how will the whingers and drama queens explain this one? Oh yeah that's right, Mick is going to Palace now...
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AbujaBlue added 11:52 - Nov 5 Well he was never dishonest
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ArnieMsBigToe added 12:35 - Nov 5 The Irish are certainly gonna need all their legendary luck with the dark lord's involvement!! Four leaf clovers in vast abundance methinks!!
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Bugleboy added 12:40 - Nov 5 It was as my friend in Tipperary had told us. Mick was staying here.
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bohslegend added 13:03 - Nov 5 I'm from Dublin - I could have told you that Bugleboy ;-) wait, I did! In Mick We Trust. (can't say the same for MON and RK in Ireland)
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bohslegend added 13:04 - Nov 5 BTW, is it just me or is that Pie Chart on the right suddenly becoming more evenly balanced???
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Tractorog added 13:04 - Nov 5 Move on everybody there is nothing to see here. Though I wonder how many Irish players might announce their retirement from international football now.
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portman_blue added 13:04 - Nov 5 Wonder who will leave first - Keane or the Irish team??
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irishtim added 13:49 - Nov 5 Never thought i'd see the day. Judas returns. God help us.
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Keaneish added 13:49 - Nov 5 Anyone seeing a pattern developing here amongst some of the stupid and the impatient...?? MM doesn't rate Taylor....Oh, he's back playing for Town. MM wants the Ireland job, he's not committed....Oh, he's not going to Ireland and he predicted who would be appointed instead of him a long time ago. MM's not right for this club and we won't challenge the play-offs this year....Is that right?

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kerryblue added 15:35 - Nov 5 This seems to be taking a very long time to sort out,is there a certain Mr Clegg now working with the FAI its his style
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Bergholtblue added 15:44 - Nov 5 You rotten swine Kerryblue! That's exactly what I was about to write.
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wewerefamous added 16:24 - Nov 5 I assume RK won't be asking the club to be one of his references then!!
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BuckieBlue added 16:41 - Nov 5 If confirmed, this can only help the squad to refocus after all this potentially unsettling stuff. Ok there is now Palace speculation, but that, and other future rumours are inevitable when you've got a manager with a decent record. Let's push now.
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TractorCam added 16:49 - Nov 5 Keaneish - I don't even call those people fans
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wilnis_barmy_army added 17:00 - Nov 5 Anyone else think keane will make a worse assistant than manager!? He'll hate playing 2nd fiddle, if this is the FAIs decision i feel really sorry for o'neill!
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Walk_the_Wark added 19:41 - Nov 5 Keanish- If we get in the playoffs I'll eat my words- not going to happen sadly
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blueboy1981 added 19:43 - Nov 5 Keaneish - Just a reminder that the only reason MM is not going to manage the Irish - is because he wasn't offered the job by the FAI. Only naivety would suggest otherwise. And it looks like RK has been offered it / part of it ahead of him !! Wnat would that tell you ??
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Keaneish added 21:20 - Nov 5 Walk the wark - I don't think we'll make the play offs sadly. I think we'll challenge for them but it all depends how much and on who we invest in January as to whether we'll make them come end of the season in my view. Blueboy1981 - that's the same symptomatic speculation about MM I've brought attention to in my post above. Ironic really...
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Walk_the_Wark added 00:48 - Nov 6 Keanesih- You really rate MM don't you?….. :-(
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bohslegend added 14:03 - Nov 6 I rate MM. He's the best manager we've had since Joe Royle. And IMO if he's given some financial support by ME for the first time since he's been here I think we will make the play offs. Some of you think that managers possess magic wands. Fickle & ridiculous.
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