Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane resign from Republic of Ireland posts

Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane have resigned from their positions as manager and assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team.

O’Neill and his assistant Keane had been under growing pressure following Ireland’s relegation from Group B4 of the Uefa Nations League and had won just one of their past 11 games.

The 66-year-old was appointed in 2013 and guided the Irish to the European Championships three years later, where they reached the last 16 before defeat to eventual runners-up France.

However a convincing 5-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Denmark in the World Cup playoffs set the tone for recent struggles for O’Neill and Keane, whose side subsequently scored one goal in four games against Wales and the Danes in the Nations League.

FAI chief executive John Delaney, who has himself come under pressure from fans, said: “I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for the impact that they had with the Ireland team. There have been many highlights during Martin’s reign – none more so than EURO 2016 in France, which will live long in the memory of all Irish supporters.

“Martin did a great job guiding the team out of a difficult qualifying group – where we beat World Champions Germany along the way – to reach EURO 2016 and advance to the Last-16 following a historic victory over Italy in Lille.

“I wish Martin, and the management team, the very best for the future.”

Assistant coach Steve Guppy and goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh have also left.

Their relegation from the Nations League means the Republic will be among the third seeds for the Euro 2020 qualifiers, meaning O’Neill’s successor will have a tough task guiding his side to the tournament.

Ireland’s dour football – O’Neill’s side went five hours without scoring a goal – was proving to be increasingly unpopular with supporters, only 31,241 saw last week’s friendly against Northern Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

Keane’s role in the Irish setup proved to be increasingly contentious, with allegations emerging that he had sworn at Cardiff midfielder Harry Arter, who subsequently chose not to make himself available for the Ireland squad in September.

Leaked audio from defender Stephen Ward overshadowed a friendly against Poland in September saw the defender relay his version of arguments between Arter, Keane and Jonathan Walters.

Keane had also been criticised for his role in Declan Rice’s future, with the West Ham defender yet to decide whether to represent Ireland or England having previously appeared for the former in three friendly internationals.

Mick McCarthy, who led Ireland to the 2002 World Cup in his first stint in charge, is the odds-on favourite with bookmakers to be appointed as O’Neill’s successor, followed by Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny.