Lord of the Dance
Ireland set to break bank to secure O'Neill and Keane
Sport

Ireland set to break bank to secure O'Neill and Keane

MARTIN O'NEILL is expected to be confirmed as the new Republic of Ireland manager early this week – with Roy Keane as his assistant.

Former Celtic and Aston Villa manager O’Neill will cost the Football Association of Ireland at least £1m a year in wages, while Keane will command around £593,000.

O'Neill is also reportedly set to earn an €800,000 bonus if he takes the Republic to the Euro 2016 finals.

Although modest by Premier League standards, the salaries put O'Neill and Keane among the best-paid international coaches in Europe.

It is understood that Celtic supremo Dermot Desmond, a close personal friend of 61-year-old O'Neill, was a significant force in helping seal the deal.

And Irish businessman Denis O'Brien, who part-funded Giovanni Trapattoni's reign, is reported to have agreed to continue similar financial support for a further two years.