Roy Keane criticises FAI appointment process and reveals he was interviewed for Ireland job

Roy Keane has criticised the Football Association of Ireland's handling of last summer's managerial appointment, saying he was interviewed for the role and that the process was a "farce" as the Republic of Ireland struggle following a damaging defeat by Armenia.

Keane, speaking on the Stick To Football podcast with Gary Neville, said he had been contacted about the job just over a year ago and questioned the FAI's organisation and judgement as Ireland's World Cup qualifying hopes narrowed after Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Armenia.

"Yeah, of course. But I think they spoke to every Tom, Dick and Harry," Keane said, describing the interview process. "Even that was a farce, the amount of people that have come out in the last six months that said they were offered the job. But that's the FAI, I've said it before, they couldn't organise a p*** up in a brewery."

Keane said one reason a former player or coach might accept the Republic's job is to try to improve the team's organisation and spirit. "You could help them. You could get them organised, a bit of fight, a bit of spirit," he added, while acknowledging that such changes are not always enough.

Heimir Hallgrimsson, appointed by the FAI last summer, has recorded only wins against Bulgaria and Finland since taking charge. Reports over the past year linked several figures to the post, including Lee Carsley, Chris Hughton, Gus Poyet and John O'Shea. Keane said he feared for the national team given the current managerial situation and the result against Armenia, which has left Ireland's qualification bid hanging by fine margins.

Keane, who earned 67 caps for the Republic and served as Martin O'Neill's assistant manager from 2013 to 2018, criticised the association's internal stability. "The FAI as well need to get their house in order. Get some proper people in there. Some people who interviewed me for the job, they're gone now, there's always people coming and going," he said.

The former Ipswich Town manager — sacked in January 2011 in his last club managerial role — said he could not say whether he would accept a future offer to manage Ireland until he was asked directly. "I don't know. Honestly, until you're asked the question, it's not on my radar," he said. "There's obviously an emotional side to it, of course there would be. For all the negative stuff, it's still a great job for somebody. I love the flow of the job, having the players for those two weeks. There's a different type of energy to your life, it's not day in, day out."

Keane's comments come amid intensified scrutiny of the FAI and the national team's direction after a run of results that have left supporters and former players concerned about qualification prospects and the federation's governance. Hallgrimsson's appointment was meant to bring stability after a period of change; instead, recent results have renewed debate about the selection and oversight of the national side.

The Stick To Football podcast episode was broadcast on the weekend following Ireland's defeat in Yerevan. Keane's remarks add to growing public criticism of the FAI at a moment when its decisions will be measured against on-field outcomes and the team's immediate prospects in qualifying campaigns.