Roy Keane quits as Nottingham Forest No2 after just five months under Martin O’Neill to pursue managerial career
ROY KEANE has left Nottingham Forest after just five months at the club.
The Irishman, 47, worked as the assistant manager to Martin O’Neill at the City Ground.
But he has decided to move on and could decide to pursue his own managerial career.
Keane said: “Working with Martin over the last few years has been a magnificent experience, one of my greatest in football both as a player and a coach and one I want to personally thank him for.”
A club statement added: “Roy would like to express his gratitude to the club’s owner, board of directors, the staff, the players and in particular manager Martin O’Neill for the opportunity to return to The City Ground.
“The former Red would also like to place on record his appreciation to the supporters who have welcomed him back so warmly since his appointment in January.
“Everyone at the club would like to wish Roy the very best in the next stage of his career.”
RED ROAD RUN
The ex-Manchester United midfielder made his major break as a player with Nottingham Forest between 1990 and 1993, before earning his move to Old Trafford.
After spells as boss at Sunderland and Ipswich, he became O’Neill’s assistant with the Ireland national team in 2013.
He also was assistant to Paul Lambert at Aston Villa but quit after less than five months at the club to concentrate on Ireland.
Keane arrived at Forest in January with the club in ninth but their season did not improve massively.
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Four successive defeats meant the club were staring at a bottom-half finish but they finished the season with wins against Middlesbrough, QPR and Bolton to come ninth.
Tough-tackling, now-tough-talking Keane – who is known for his ruthless punditry – is expected to seek a managerial role for the new season.
In the Championship, Birmingham have not found a permanent replacement for Garry Monk, yet, while Derby may need to find someone to fill the void left behind should Frank Lampard take the Chelsea job.